Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Duren.
Hi Christina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am originally from Miami, FL, but spent most of my early adult years in New York City. I formed my core group of friends there. We had a blast every weekend enjoying brunch and different events around the city, and in 2009 I decided to move back to Miami. It really felt like a “starting over” moment for me. I was in a new city “in my eyes” and really missed the friendship and sisterhood bonds I created while in NYC.
So that started me on my quest of how do I find like-minded friends. I frequented Meetup often in NYC, being new to the city there and finding my tribe that way. Moving back to Miami led me back to Meetup. I searched through a few groups and could not find a good fit for me. I needed a space where I could just fully be me, find some good girlfriends who had similar interests, and as a new mom, I just needed a day off! So that day I decided to create my own group doing all the fun things I loved to do with friends back in NYC and the Beautiful Brown Girls Brunch Club was created.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There were several obstacles and challenges along the way that were unexpected. One major obstacle that we overcame early on was how we would turn what essentially was a hobby into a business. Beautiful Brown Girls at the core was a fun monthly event that created a movement for women of color. As we began to grow, we needed processes and procedures in place so that we had a solid foundation to scale up.
At times, we get so focused on the result that we forget about the work that is needed to yield the results we want. That work is not always “pretty.” I learned early on the importance of strategizing and putting the right team members in place to help us create a business that benefited women of color and grew the Beautiful Brown Girls brand.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Beautiful Brown Girls™?
Beautiful Brown Girls™ creates unique and memorable experiences for women of color to foster a world that runs on love, inspiration, and acceptance. Well known for our monthly brunch events that bring members together in over 29 locations. With over, 51,000 members Beautiful Brown Girls™ has expanded to much more than a brunch club. We have also created the Beautiful Brown Girls™ social network that gives our members opportunities to build their sister circle locally and globally through similar interests, age, location, and more. Our digital membership platform gives members exclusive access to content, community, curated events, self-care and wellness through insightful articles, thoughtful conversation, and webinars with inspiring Black women. Self-care plays a major role in my life.
Growing up from humble beginnings in a low-income environment, I know firsthand how it feels to find your voice and your support system in a world that feels against you at every turn. Sisterhood is self-care. Having a tribe of sisters has helped me to identify qualities in myself that I would not have noticed if I didn’t have that encouraging friend or that safe space where I can show up as myself 100 percent. Beautiful Brown Girls™ has become an extension of my struggles as a woman of color and has helped me create an environment for other women of color to know they are loved, valued, accepted, and has a sisterhood of supportive women behind them rooting for them to win.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Our Beautiful Brown Girls team also deserves credit for the growth of the brand. We have had a team of dedicated Black women throughout our entire 11-year existence who have volunteered their time and worked tirelessly to create a welcoming community for Black women. It truly a for us by us organization.
Pricing:
- 24.99 Annual Membership Fee
Contact Info:
- Email: beautifulbrowngirls@gmail.com
- Website: https://beautifulbrowngirls.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautifullyshaded/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beautifulbrowngirls/
