In "Pack With Me," [1] influencers and editors give us a rundown of their travel must-haves and a few travel hacks to go along with them. For this installment, Black Excellence Brunch founder Trell Thomas shares the essentials he packs for a trip to New Orleans.
"Legacy, Legacy, Legacy, Legacy. Black excellency, baby, let 'em see," famed rapper Jay-Z notably said on his album, "4:44." And no one embodies this lyric quite like cultural entrepreneur Trell Thomas [2]. He is the brainchild and driving force behind the Black Excellence Brunch [3], a family-style gathering created as an ode to his mother's weekly Sunday dinners in South Carolina. "I started Black Excellence Brunch to build community among Black people and as a way to celebrate us in a world that sometimes tries to treat us as less than," he tells PS. "I wanted to create an intentional and safe space that celebrated our individual and collective excellence."
I started Black Excellence Brunch to build community among Black people and as a way to celebrate us in a world that sometimes tries to treat us as less than.
Through this tradition, he's been able to commemorate some of the richest moments in modern Black culture from "The Color Purple" remake to the Year of the Return in 2019, which saw Black people across the diaspora journey to Ghana to mark the 400th anniversary of the first enslaved Africans arriving in the US. This year, Thomas partnered with L'Oreal for the Black Excellence Brunch to honor Black beauty, hair, and equity — and together, they welcomed A-list guests like honoree Marsai Martin.
As a history-making entrepreneur, it's no surprise Thomas is also a master traveler. The former journalist and public relations executive recently trekked to New Orleans [4] to showcase the brunch during Essence Festival's 30th anniversary weekend and he tells us the festival feels like home. "It's a big family reunion where people are more like cousins, uncles, and aunts as opposed to strangers."
Image Source: Getty Images / Leon Bennett [5]
Given the busy event schedule at Essence Festival and all the work that goes into coordinating his brunch, Thomas likes to keep his travel style cool and comfortable. "When traveling to New Orleans, my main goal is to stay cool and moisturized," he says. "I make sure to pack things that help with that, including breathable clothing, lots of sunglasses, and T-shirt options." For his airport outfit, Thomas often sports his favorite set from Savage X Fenty that includes an oversize hoodie and joggers along with the classic Concrete Jordan 1s for a fresh take on athleisure [6]. And of course, no travel day is complete without luggage or in Thomas's case, the Cise "Protect Black People" duffle bag. "I love it because it's fashionable and meaningful," he says.
If you're heading to Nola soon or already planning a trip to next year's Essence Fest, keep scrolling to find out what to pack for New Orleans, according to Thomas.
Skin Oil
Zen In A Jar Black Magic Honey [8] ($35)
"My number one travel hack is having a really good sunscreen, as well as a great smelling oil base, to put on before putting on any fragrance," Thomas says. "I love IT Cosmetics sunscreen [9] ($35) and Zen in a jar body honey, to keep my skin protected and smelling great!" This moisturizing bath and body honey is a peppermint rose blend that you can use on both skin and hair.
Sweatshirt and Joggers
Savage X Fenty Essential Oversized Rolled Cuff Jogger [10] ($75)
"My favorite travel outfit is my Black Savage X Fenty jogger set," says Thomas of the best-selling Savage x Fenty fleece joggers. "I also have this set in multiple colors like green, gray, and burgundy. It's so comfortable and chill." Pick up the Savage X Fenty Essential Oversized Hoodie [11] ($90) to complete the set.
Sneakers
Air Jordan 1 High OG [12] ($170)
When it comes to sneakers, Thomas is a big fan of Jordan's. "I love my Jordan Concrete 1's," he shares. "They elevate my jogger set and they are also easy to put on and take off when going through airport security."
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Beats Studio Pro Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-the-Ear Headphones [13] ($180, originally $350)
"I can't travel without my headphones," Thomas says. His current favorites are Beats Studio Pro wireless noise-cancelling headphones, which offer immersive sound and up to 40 hours of total battery life. Our editor raved about them, saying: "The noise-cancellation effect is excellent; I'm able to hear when someone's speaking to me while canceling out background noise almost entirely." Read more in her review of the Beats Studio Pro headphones [14].
Luggage
Cise Protect Black People Vegan Leather Duffle Bag [15] ($175)
"My suitcase of choice is my "Protect Black People" Cise bag. I love it because it's fashionable and meaningful." Constructed of vegan leather, the bag is one of the signature pieces from Cise, a Black-owned brand which pledges "to commit resources and create opportunities that enrich, empower, and celebrate the Black community" by donating and partnering with empowering Black organizations and businesses.
Statement Sunglasses
Bohten Barklae III Ebony Sun [16] ($250)
Sunglasses are a staple in Thomas's Nola packing list. "When traveling to New Orleans, my main goal is to stay cool and moisturized," shares Thomas. "So, I make sure to pack things that help with that, including breathable clothing, lots of sunglasses, and t-shirt options." These shades feature multilayer wood and a brown gradient lens.
Naomi Parris [17] is a New York-based fashion and beauty writer with over seven years of experience. She served as an editorial operations associate at PS, specializing in all things fashion. Obsessed with telling stories that merge fashion and culture, her areas of expertise include Fashion Week coverage, daily news, high-profile interviews, shopping roundups, and beauty stories.