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
Two alligators bang on a door at a Florida home and social media is going crazy

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 Most Handsome & Brilliant Black Men From Every Era

The Most Handsome & Brilliant Black Men From Every Era

From Barack Obama to Kendrick Lamar, these talented and attractive men wowed society with both their looks and contributions to the world. Let’s take a look! …
Black Films To Look Forward to in 2026

Black Films To Look Forward to in 2026

From Colman Domingo to Halle Bailey, Black stars are coming in hot with new movies in 2026. Let’s take a look! …
Black Internet Responds to Alex Cross' Romance With a White Woman in the New 'Cross' Season

Black Internet Responds to Alex Cross’ Romance With a White Woman in the New ‘Cross’ Season

Aldis Hodge is back as Detective Alex Cross on Prime Video’s hit show ‘Cross.’ But this new seasons have fans speaking out for a funny yet interesting reason …
Black Woman's Essay on Modern Dating Is Lighting Up The Comments Section

Black Woman’s Essay on Modern Dating Is Lighting Up The Comments Section

A Black woman shared her take on dating Black men in 2026, and people can’t stop talking about it …
Candace Owens Has MAGA <i>Furious</i> After Announcing Series Investigating Charlie Kirk's Widow

Candace Owens Has MAGA Furious After Announcing Series Investigating Charlie Kirk’s Widow

After launching a new series investigating Erika Kirk, Candace Owens is getting dragged by MAGA sick and tired of all of the drama …
A North Carolina 3-Year-Old Was Hot Glued to a Chair. Now, Their Teacher Learns Her Fate

A North Carolina 3-Year-Old Was Hot Glued to a Chair. Now, Their Teacher Learns Her Fate

After a three-year-old at a Charlotte suburb daycare wouldn’t sit still, teacher Lashawna Williams did the unthinkable. Now, she just learned her fate …
This Former Miami Mayor Was a Successful Immigrant -- But the Government Says He Led a Double Life

This Former Miami Mayor Was a Successful Immigrant — But the Government Says He Led a Double Life

All eyes are on one former North Miami mayor after a jaw-dropping federal lawsuit is calling his citizenship and marriage status into question …
Marla Gibbs is Spilling Major Tea in Her New Memoir, Here Are 5 Things You Didn’t Know

Marla Gibbs is Spilling Major Tea in Her New Memoir, Here Are 5 Things You Didn’t Know

At 94 years young, Marla Gibbs is out with a memoir, detailing her unconventional road to stardom. We’re looking at 5 things you didn’t know about the actress …
Are the $2,000 Tariff Refunds Trump Promised <i>Actually</i> Coming?

Are the $2,000 Tariff Refunds Trump Promised Actually Coming?

Pressure is mounting from business owners, working-class Americans and Democrats for Trump to give a full tariff refund as he promised …
Why White Women Are Being Dragged After Trump’s State of the Union Address Over DEI

Why White Women Are Being Dragged After Trump’s State of the Union Address Over DEI

White women who stood to their feet, applauding the “end” of DEI are facing backlash, for good reason …
NFL Star Shares Important, Heartbreaking Message Following Fellow Player's Suicide

NFL Star Shares Important, Heartbreaking Message Following Fellow Player’s Suicide

NFL star A.J. Brown is opening up about mental health and encouraging his fellow football players and fans, by extension, to get the help they need …
Google Sends Out News Alert With N-Word and, Uh, Black Twitter is <i>Through</i>

Google Sends Out News Alert With N-Word and, Uh, Black Twitter is Through

As the internet was still reeling from the N-word incident at the 2026 BAFTAs, Google has now unintentionally added more fuel to the fire! Let’s get into it …
Black Leaders React to Trump's State of the Union

Black Leaders React to Trump’s State of the Union

Hakeem Jeffries, Justin J. Pearson, Scott Colom, Mandela Barnes and more Black leaders had plenty of thoughts after Trump’s State of the Union address …
Justin J. Pearson on What the State of the Union Address Should Really Means for Black Folks

Justin J. Pearson on What the State of the Union Address Should Really Means for Black Folks

Tenn. politician Justin J. Pearson broke down exactly what all Black folks should take away from Trump’s State of the Union address on Feb. 24 …
Why J. Cole's "Everyman" Tour Stunt Is Getting Old

Why J. Cole’s “Everyman” Tour Stunt Is Getting Old

​The superstar rapper has been driving around the country selling CDs out of the trunk of his used Honda Civic …
It's Time For Black People to Consider Wealth Beyond Home Ownership

It’s Time For Black People to Consider Wealth Beyond Home Ownership

Black people have always leaned toward home ownership but the changing housing landscape should have us thinking about other ways to obtaining equity …
Why Black Folks Are <i>Always</i> Expected to Extend Grace When No One Else Will

Why Black Folks Are Always Expected to Extend Grace When No One Else Will

Black folks are being asked to “turn the other cheek” after the BAFTA scandal, but given the deep history of forcing Black people to submit, the wound is still too fresh …
EXCLUSIVE: NAACP President Derrick Johnson Explains His Expectations for State of the Union and What's at Stake for Black Voters

EXCLUSIVE: NAACP President Derrick Johnson Explains His Expectations for State of the Union and What’s at Stake for Black Voters

The Root spoke to NAACP President Derrick Johnson about why he has “no expectations” for Trump’s State of the Union address …
How the Barbz Are Responding to Nicki Minaj Going Full MAGA

How the Barbz Are Responding to Nicki Minaj Going Full MAGA

Following her MAGA events, Nicki Minaj has the Barbz divided with some stuck between sticking beside their Queen or stepping away…for good …
Proof That Jim Crow Era Was Not That Long Ago And Why This is Important to Know

Proof That Jim Crow Era Was Not That Long Ago And Why This is Important to Know

Jim Crow laws were in place not that long ago. Even though many photos from that time are in black and white, the history is far from ancient and the remnants are all around us …