A brunch first meant to help JohnRaé Stowers grieve has turned into an annual event that has brought together and empowered hundreds of women and girls from Milwaukee.
For the past decade, Stowers, founder of JazzyRaé Legacy Foundation and owner of JazzyRaé Jewels & Accessories, has hosted the Divas Brunch in honor of her late mother, Pastor Petria Diggs-Scott. She said her mother was her biggest supporter and she wanted other women to do the same for one another.
“I was feeling like a motherless child, and that was a hard space to be in and to figure out how to continue to go forth,” Stowers said.
Stowers said this year approximately 500 to 600 women are expected to attend the 10th annual brunch on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Marquette University’s Alumni Memorial Union, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave. The event typically features women vendors, live performances, a fashion show and more.
“I call it my gift to the community,” she said.
Stowers said over the years the brunch evolved into a space for women to become vulnerable, which was intentional. She wanted to create a safe environment, bridge the community and help people learn each other’s personal stories.
“They can cry, cheer, laugh or whatever and not feel judged,” Stowers said. “Some people feel like it’s just them and we all have that and we all need the love.”
Merging generations
When planning the event, Stowers said there are many ways she ensures that seniors and young women from different generations get a chance to interact with each other.
“So I do sell tables and individual tickets, and some women use this as an outlet to get their families together for a girls’ day,” Stowers said. “They’ll come and exchange gifts at the table and they’ll add more decor to their table to give it their own touch.”
Sherry Simmons, project manager of the Divas Brunch, attends the event each year and organized the last two brunches. She said she admires how Stowers taps into her goal to bring women across generations together to be poured into.
“I would bring my mom and there were times when I brought my grandmother there,” Simmons said. “I’ve always brought different circles of women.”
Stowers, who is also the associate director of student support services for Marquette University’s Equal Opportunity Program, typically invites young women she mentors to come volunteer and network at the brunch.
“While they’re volunteering, they’re talking to older women and connecting,” Stowers said.
In the future, Stowers said she hopes to take the Divas Brunch inside of MPS high schools to give youths a similar experience.
She also hopes to leave the legacy of the Divas Brunch in the hands of her two daughters, Amari Stowers and Zyan Stowers, and also expand to other states.
Permission to start again
For this year’s brunch, Stowers said conversations will revolve around women rebirthing themselves and reclaiming who they are.
“This is permission to start again and know what it is that you want,” she said.
Fostering dialogue at the tables will be K Love The Poet, who will deliver the keynote speech for the Divas Brunch and share spoken poetry.
“I think that we should reinvent ourselves and always be open to the better versions of ourselves, and I don’t think anyone has arrived there yet,” K-Love The Poet said. “If we are smart and intentional, we are always on our way.”
K-Love The Poet, a national spokesperson from Chicago, said she’s excited to make an appearance in Milwaukee and give back to the community.
“I’ve been gathering with women in different cities and building conversations on sisterhood, how to maintain and sustain healthy relationships with other women and conflict resolution skills,” she said.
Receiving endless support
Each year, Stowers feels grateful for the support she and her team receive from the community.
“I love my city and I know for a fact my city loves me,” she said. “To pull over 500 women together is amazing and I know this is nothing but God and ministry.”
Tickets for the annual Divas Brunch have sold out, but if you’re interested in donating, click here.
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