On a Sunday afternoon in Austin, Marcus McNeil moves through the crowd with ease, stopping to dap up friends, pose for photos, and check in with the DJ before the music shifts into the next set. Plates of chicken and waffles weave through the room as conversations buzz over the bass line. For McNeil, this is more than brunch. It is community in motion.
As CEO of The Brunch Club & Co., McNeil has built a following around curated events that center Black joy, creativity, and connection. What started as a casual gathering among friends has grown into a vibrant space where students, young professionals, and creatives come together to celebrate culture. In a city like Austin, which is known for its music and innovation but often criticized for sidelining its Black community, spaces like these carry a deeper meaning.
Across Central Texas, from student organizations in San Marcos to community collectives in Austin, Black-led groups are carving out places to belong. These gatherings go beyond food and music. They are about visibility, support, and representation in environments where Black students and young adults do not always see themselves reflected. McNeil said the idea for The Brunch Club came from noticing a gap in the city’s cultural landscape. “A lot of it came from looking around and realizing there weren’t enough spaces where Black people in Austin could just show up, be ourselves, and feel celebrated,” he said. “I’ve always loved bringing people together, and brunch felt like the perfect medium, because it is food, it is conversation, it is community.”…