Worthy To Mention: Worthy Mentoring’s Phenomenal Pride Brunch at The Four Seasons Hotel

Across the nation, big cities and small towns alike are gearing for Pride events that are packed with fun and love. But when it comes to Pride events that truly break the mold, all props go to our nation’s capital.

Constantly mentioned as “one of the gayest places in the country,” I’ve been looking forward to my first D.C. Pride month for some time now. 

But even with all my excitement and the outstanding pride I’ve seen from so many queer Washingtonians, nothing prepared me for the LGBTQ+ extravagance that I saw at Worthy Mentoring’s Pride Brunch at The Four Seasons Georgetown Hotel.

Started a year ago by proud LGBTQ+ advocate Michael Edmonson, Worthy Mentoring is this amazing organization that seeks to uplift the queer community and navigate the turmoils that queer individuals might face.

Whether it’s coming out, living in an unwelcoming environment or trying to be yourself in professional settings, Worthy Mentoring has developed an app that pairs you with a qualified mentor that’ll help you through these tumultuous times. 

Truly an important project and a large challenge for any organization to face, the recent Pride Brunch at D.C.’s Four Seasons Hotel was a great opportunity to fundraise in support of Worthy Mentoring and provide a LGBTQ+ celebration that I’m sure no one will forget.

Co-presented by the Four Seasons’ Anina Belle Giannin and Brandt Ricca of creative agency Nora Lee, this brunch featured amazing decor, a phenomenal brunch bar and appearances from incredibly talented drag performers. 

Truly, a brunch of this caliber isn’t easy to top.

But the Worthy Mentoring/Four Seasons/Nora Lee dream team pushed the envelope even further with an appearance from TV personality and fashion expert Carson Kressley.

Wonderfully charismatic onstage and even sweeter off, Carson Kressley was an incredible feature at this brunch and a laugh riot unlike any other.

Brandishing jokes that were unapologetically gay and didn’t shy away from the line, Kressley’s presence became larger than life when he helped auction off two Bergdorf Goodman lunches at an impressive $3,500 each. 

All of which goes toward the amazing efforts at Worthy Mentoring.

But aside from the terrific brunch featuring great music by the District’s DJ Tezrah and routines from some of the most stellar drag performers, it was the social reception afterwards that really wowed me.

Never before had I ever been in a space with so many queer creators and professionals. 

Not only did guests interact with gorgeous drag stars KC B’Yoncé, Emerald Star, Logan Stone and Druex Sidora, but we also got to share laughs and enjoy the company of fellow queer Washingtionians.

Dancing to beats provided by DJ Rosie Hicks and sampling the amazing Pride-themed drinks handed off by the terrific Four Seasons staff, this was such an affirming party and an amazing way to say “We are the LGBTQ+. We are built upon love and trust and community. You’re always welcomed.”

I truly felt like I belonged at this wonderfully charitable beginning to my first D.C. Pride.

Four Seasons Georgetown: 2800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, DC; fourseasons.com/washington // @fswashington

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Mela Rodrigues-Oliveira