Naturi Naughton-Lewis to headline Power Moms brunch cruise on Lake Minnetonka

The Power Moms Tour lands in Minneapolis on Sept. 27 with a brunch cruise on Lake Minnetonka focused on Black motherhood, maternal health and balancing careers. The event brings together Minnesota leaders, journalists and business executives aboard the Paradise Destiny II, with media access offered throughout the day.

Why it matters: - The Power Moms Brunch Cruise is designed to spotlight Black motherhood and push for more respectful maternal health care. - The Minneapolis stop extends Irth’s work in the Twin Cities, where parent and family feedback is being used to improve maternity, NICU and infant care. - The event also creates a public forum for state policy, media and workplace conversations around motherhood.

What happened: - The Power Moms Tour arrives in the Twin Cities on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. - The event takes place aboard the Paradise Destiny II on Lake Minnetonka. - Host Kimberly Seals Allers, founder of Irth, and celebrity ambassador Naturi Naughton-Lewis are leading the brunch cruise. - Naughton-Lewis is known for playing Tasha St. Patrick in Power and now stars as Jordan Baker in Broadway’s The Great Gatsby. - The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. CT, with boarding at the Port of Excelsior and departure expected around 12:30 p.m. - Guests will get brunch, music, networking and onboard activities.

The details: - The first conversation, “Motherhood, Media & Policy,” includes Naughton-Lewis, Seals Allers, Minnesota State Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten and Sheree R. Curry of the University of St. Thomas. - The second conversation, “Balancing Career & Motherhood,” features Naughton-Lewis, Seals Allers, LaToya Burrell of the Anderson Foundation and Zinpro Corporation, and Simone Hardeman-Jones of GreenLight Fund Twin Cities. - Across both panels, Naughton-Lewis will share her birth story and discuss the challenges of motherhood while working as an actress. - Seals Allers said Black mothers deserve space for “the full story of motherhood,” including joy, realities and honest experiences with care. - Irth’s Twin Cities work is supported by GreenLight Fund Twin Cities. - That work includes quality improvement partnerships with Hennepin Healthcare and Children’s Minnesota. - The partnerships use parent and family experience feedback to identify gaps and guide more equitable care. - Power Moms Minneapolis follows a sold-out New York City event held during Black Maternal Health Week. - Media passes are available for the full cruise, with photographers invited from noon to 12:30 p.m. CT before departure. - A post-cruise media reception runs from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. CT for deeper interviews with Seals Allers and participating speakers. - Interview availability for Naughton-Lewis and other guests will be confirmed in advance. - Press requests go to Maisha Popoola at maishap@irthapp.com. - Tickets and event information are also listed at Irth.

Between the lines: - The lineup mixes entertainment, journalism, government and philanthropy, signaling an attempt to make maternal health a cross-sector issue rather than a niche advocacy event. - The emphasis on lived experience and care quality suggests the event is as much about narrative change as policy discussion. - The media access windows point to a push for broader coverage beyond a one-day social gathering.

What's next: - The Minneapolis brunch cruise will serve as the latest stop in the Power Moms Tour. - Organizers are expected to use the event to keep building awareness around respectful maternal care and the needs of Black mothers. - Additional interview details for Naughton-Lewis and other guests will be shared ahead of the event.