Marquette University Hosts “Black Women Rock Brunch and Panel’ to Encourage Women to Start, ‘Saying Yes to Me’

On Sunday March 22, 2026, Marquette University Office of Inclusion and Belonging, Multicultural Coordinator Makayla Brame hosted “Black Women Rock Brunch and Panel,” at Alumni Memorial Ballroom. The “Black Women Rock Brunch and Panel” is an annual event that celebrates and uplift the accomplishments, strength, and beauty of Black women.

This year’s theme is “Saying Yes to Me,” and focuses on Black women’s holistic wellbeing and finding resilience and power in saying yes to ourselves. They hope that this year’s event leads attendees to acknowledge systemic barriers Black Women experience when it comes to centering themselves. As well as understanding the issues surrounding expectations and stereotypes they face. “Saying Yes to Me,” especially for Black women, is not always encouraged, supported, or understood by others, but is also not something that should not be compromised to the detriment of ourselves. Empowerment, compassion, growth, and community can all be found in “Saying Yes to Me.”

This year’s panelists included Public Health doctoral candidate, maternal health advocate and licensed professional counselor Kari Lewis; Lurit a first-generation South Sudanese American studying Biomedical Engineering at Marquette University with a passion for advancing accessible wellness through science and innovation; and Marquette College of Education Educational Policy and Leadership Department Assistant Professor Dr. Derria Byrd.