All the Best Dressed Guests at the White House ‘Celebrating Black Excellence’ Brunch

Celebrities, athletes, politicians, The Root and more put on their best outfits for the White House brunch

No one does an all-white brunch better than Black folks! On Friday (Sept. 13) President Joe Biden hosted hundreds of Black leaders at the White House for brunch to celebrate Black excellence. Actress Marsai Martin, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden, and others spoke during the event which was filled with excitement and celebration.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Here’s 100 years of the Best Black Dandyism Heading Into Met Gala 2025

The invitation suggested everyone wear white and man did they. The Root’s Editor-in-Chief was invited, and she snagged a few exclusive pictures of the event’s beautifully-dressed guests. So put on your fashion critic glasses and take a look at the Black stars of the White House Celebrating Black Excellence Brunch!

Rodney Franklin, LeToya Luckett, Taleo Coles, and Kim Blackwell

Photo: Michael Clark

Anthony Anderson

Photo: Michael Clark

Marsai Martin

Screenshot: @marsaimartin on IG

President Joe Biden and Trell Thomas

Screenshot: @trellworld on IG

Michael Oloyede and Imani Ellis

Screenshot: @blackexcellencebrunch on IG

Tabitha Brown

Screenshot: @iamtabithabrown on IG

Tatsha Robertson, Editor-in-Chief of The Root

Screenshot: Tatsha Robertson

Well, Orange You Fly?

Photo: Getty Images Celal Gunes

Colorful Details

Photo: Michael Clark

Classic Elegance

Photo: Getty Images Celal Gunes

Lisa Leslie and Susan Taylor

Photo: Michael Clark

Michael Clark and Orlena Nwokah Blanchard

Photo: Michael Clark

Patterns and More Patterns

Photo: Michael Clark

Al B. Sure!

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Throwing In Some Plaid

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Al Sharpton

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Pearls For the Girls

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

White House’s Erica Loewe in Gold Accessories

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Hot Pink Suit

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Black Girl Joy

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Sen. Raphael Warnock, Iyanla Vanzant, and Roland Martin

Photo: Michael Clark

Antjuan Seawright

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Erika Alexander

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Black Girl Excellence

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Iyanla Vanzant, Glynn Turman, Anthony Anderson, and Al Sharpton

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

The Exonerated Central Five

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Jummy Olabanji

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Cowboy Hats at the White House

Photo: Michael Clark

Divine Nine in the House!

Photo: Michael Clark

You Go, Erica Loewe

Photo: Michael Clark

Rashad Robinson

Photo: Michael Clark

Suits Tailored to Perfection

Photo: Michael Clark

All White Converse

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Colorful Suit Details

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Iced Out Chains to Match

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Oh, What A Day!

Photo: Tatsha Robertson

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

The Worst Oscars Red Carpet Trainwrecks Over the Years

The Worst Oscars Red Carpet Trainwrecks Over the Years

With the 2026 Oscars just days away, let’s take a look at Black celebs who’ve had some fashion misses on the famous red carpet! …
Black America Must Know The Terrifying Success of Project 2025

Black America Must Know The Terrifying Success of Project 2025

We’re taking a deep dive into Project 2025, and how President Trump is already reshaping Black America just over a year into his second term …
The Chilling Details of the Houston Man Who Allegedly Kept Disabled Wife Captive for Years in a House Full of People

The Chilling Details of the Houston Man Who Allegedly Kept Disabled Wife Captive for Years in a House Full of People

Police say James Earl Johnson held his 46-year-old disabled wife captive in a bedroom under lock and key, with no phone access, for five years in Houston …
Thousands of Black Kidney Transplant Patients Get Justice After Racial Bias Is Found in Decades-Old Test

Thousands of Black Kidney Transplant Patients Get Justice After Racial Bias Is Found in Decades-Old Test

Researchers are reporting success after a new effort to reverse racial bias against Black kidney patients is paying off …
Why This Black British TikToker Is Being Dragged Online

Why This Black British TikToker Is Being Dragged Online

Here’s why this Black British TikToker is being dragged by American folks after speaking on American politics …
5 Black Comedians Who Should Host The Next Oscar Awards

5 Black Comedians Who Should Host The Next Oscar Awards

These Black comedic voices would bring the funny to the Oscars stage …
All the Black History That Could be Made at 2026 Oscars

All the Black History That Could be Made at 2026 Oscars

The 2026 Oscars is shaping up to be a hella Black affair is all goes right, let’s take a look at the history that could potentially be made! …
Why Ari Lennox Admitting She Chose the Toxic Man Over the Good Guy Has the Internet in Shambles

Why Ari Lennox Admitting She Chose the Toxic Man Over the Good Guy Has the Internet in Shambles

Singer Ari Lennox’s latest dating revelation has social media in an uproar. Let’s break down why! …
Terrence Howard Claims He Passed on Beyoncé—And the Internet Reacted Exactly How You Expected

Terrence Howard Claims He Passed on Beyoncé—And the Internet Reacted Exactly How You Expected

“Hustle & Flow” star Terrence Howard says he once had a chance with Beyoncé in during her days of Destiny’s Child—but chose a short-lived, “blue-eyed” bandmate instead, sparking some thoughts online …
The 400-Day Target Boycott Was More Effective Than You Think

The 400-Day Target Boycott Was More Effective Than You Think

According to Pastor Jamal Bryant, Target has met three of four of the boycott’s original demands. Here’s exactly what that means …
Misty Copeland Drags Timothée Chalamet For Comments About Ballet and Opera

Misty Copeland Drags Timothée Chalamet For Comments About Ballet and Opera

American Ballet Theater dancer Misty Copeland has entered the chat and is calling out Timothée Chalamet over his recent negative words about the art form …
Photo: Getty Images Jason LaVeris, Michael Montfort, TIMOTHY A. CLARY

What Happened to the Careers of These Black Oscar Winners?

Winning an Oscar has the potential to make or break an actor’s career. Now, we’re looking deeper into their stories …
Professor On Jalen Rose Saying NBA Has a 'Residue or Slavery'

Professor On Jalen Rose Saying NBA Has a ‘Residue or Slavery’

The outrage over his slavery comment misses the deeper issue of who controls the wealth created by Black athletes …
Ex-NFL Star Asked ChatGPT for Advice After Allegedly Doing the Unthinkable to His Fiancée

Ex-NFL Star Asked ChatGPT for Advice After Allegedly Doing the Unthinkable to His Fiancée

Prosecutors say ex-NFL star Darron Lee used an unconventional method to try to cover up his fiancée’s “especially heinous” murder last month …
Why There's Drama Between Janet Jackson and the New Michael Jackson Movie

Why There’s Drama Between Janet Jackson and the New Michael Jackson Movie

As fans eagerly anticipate the new Michael Jackson biopic, there’s seemingly some trouble brewing between his family over the film. Here’s what we know …
The Target Boycott Is Over, but the Fight Isn't: Leaders Reveal Progress and Work Ahead

The Target Boycott Is Over, but the Fight Isn’t: Leaders Reveal Progress and Work Ahead

The Root spoke exclusively with Pastor Jamal Bryant, Tamika Mallory and Nina Turner about how the Black community held a major corporation accountable …
After 12-year-old Girl Dies Following School Bus Fight, Her family Is Searching for Answers

After 12-year-old Girl Dies Following School Bus Fight, Her family Is Searching for Answers

Jada West reportedly experienced bullying before a fight with another girl led to her untimely death …
Shonda Rhimes Just Revealed the Tragic Event That Inspired ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

Shonda Rhimes Just Revealed the Tragic Event That Inspired ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ may be beloved and invoke positive feelings, but the show itself was inspired by an extremely tragic incident …
Black Americans Respond to Possible Boots on the Ground as Iran Conflict Rages Forward

Black Americans Respond to Possible Boots on the Ground as Iran Conflict Rages Forward

Black folks woke up on the last day of Black History Month to military strikes in Iran. Now, they’re voicing frustrations as questions about ground troops arise …
Former Black Inmate Makes History as First Ever in U.S. to Buy a Prison Facility

Former Black Inmate Makes History as First Ever in U.S. to Buy a Prison Facility

Kerwin Pittman becomes the first formerly incarcerated Black man to buy a U.S. prison, transforming a site of confinement into a reentry campus …