Disney influencer Dominique Brown dies allegedly due to allergic reaction to food at brand event

Dominique Brown, the co-founder of Instagram page BlackGirlDisney, died at a brand event in Los Angeles on November 12. Photo / @dominiquebrown

Dominique Brown, the co-founder of BlackGirlDisney, is remembered as a “bundle of joy” who opened doors for others.

Disney influencer Dominique Brown died at a brand event on Thursday in an incident a friend blames on Brown coming into contact with a food allergen.

The creator, who was 34, had 22,000 Instagram followers and was known for co-founding BlackGirlDisney, an online community of black creators within the larger Disney influencer community.

“Dominique was such a light and a bundle of joy,” said Alexis Trotter, 34, a fellow creator and member of the BlackGirlDisney community. Trotter said Brown inspired others to be authentically and unapologetically themselves. “When you were in her presence, she made you feel seen. If anything, she encouraged you to show off who you are.”

The event, held at the venue Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles, was hosted by BoxLunch, a merchandise company that specialises in fandom apparel. “Our hearts go out to her family and friends, and we will do everything we can to support them and the members of the BoxLunch Collective and our team during this painful time,” the company said in a statement given to Us Weekly.

“Our hearts and deepest sympathy go out to the family and loved ones of Dominique Brown during this heartbreaking time,” Vibiana wrote in a statement. “As we await further, more conclusive information about this tragic incident, we remain fully committed to our ongoing and comprehensive internal review and to collaborating closely with all parties involved to understand the circumstances surrounding this devastating loss.”

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The exact circumstances of Brown’s death are unclear. A Change.org petition started by Marcus Medley, who said he was a close friend of Brown, alleges the event venue was not adequately prepared to serve people with severe allergies.

“Allegedly, despite informing staff of her life-threatening allergy, she was served a dish containing the allergen. Allegedly, the establishment lacked critical life-saving tools like epinephrine autoinjectors (EpiPens) and trained staff to respond effectively,” the petition reads.

The petition, which had nearly 25,800 signatures as of Wednesday morning, calls for legislation requiring all US establishments serving food to have an EpiPen on-site, staff training on food allergens, and ingredient transparency of all dishes sold. Medley, who attended high school and college with Brown, said he was inspired to create the petition out of frustration with what he sees as a poor industry standard when it comes to food allergies.

“I started thinking about how cars have seat belts and air bags, and planes have emergency exits, and even buildings have fire extinguishers and smoke alarms,” Medley told The Washington Post. “But why don’t [restaurants] have EpiPens or why don’t they have a more clear way of identifying every single ingredient in food?”

Brown’s death is the latest high-profile death caused by food allergens. In August, a woman died while eating at an Irish pub within the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Her husband filed a wrongful-death lawsuit that alleged the couple was assured multiple times that the restaurant could accommodate the woman’s severe dairy and nut allergy.

Despite the Food and Drug Administration recognising nine major food allergens, a report found that nearly half of fatal food allergen reactions were caused by food service establishments. Some states have legislation allowing public venues to stock undesignated EpiPens, but this is not specific to food-serving establishments. No states require restaurants to stock EpiPens.

The event was held at Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles. Photo / 123rf

“Until everyone in this country understands that food allergy is a disease of the immune system, not a diet, certainly not a preference nor a choice, tragedies like this will happen,” said Sung Poblete, chief executive of Food Allergy and Research Education.

In the aftermath of Brown’s death, the Disney influencer community has mourned the creator, who was known for being sweet like one of her favourite Disney characters, Winnie the Pooh.

“Forever will think of you when I see the sweet bear, just like the sweet girl you always were,” Jasmin Joestar, a content creator, wrote under Brown’s last Instagram post.

“Thank you for creating and holding space for all of black Disney girls,” commented Trotter, who called the BlackGirlDisney community “profound.”

“Not only does she break through glass ceilings, she’s extending her arm out and pulling others behind her,” Trotter told The Post.

Brown’s brother Patrick Ramos also commented.

“I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to her social media fam for showing her so much love and light,” he wrote. “Disney did bring her joy, but it was unparalleled that she found a community who loved her and Disney as much as she did. I will miss my sister and best friend and that infectious smile she always had. Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart.”