Influencers Dominique Brown will be remembered for her kindness and joy following her sudden death at the age of 34.

“Dominique Brown had the extraordinary ability to touch lives and make everyone she met feel truly seen and valued,” co-creator and friend Andrea Pugh KelleyPhD, MPH exclusively told Us weekly on Monday, December 9th. “Dominique was a unique light in the world who deserves to be here today.”

News of Brown’s death broke on Thursday, December 5, after a BoxLunch event where attendees claimed she died after unknowingly eating foods she was allergic to.

In a statement about this Us weeklyBoxLunch confirmed that Brown “suffered a medical emergency” at an event in Los Angeles, adding: “Our condolences go out to her family and friends and we will do everything we can to support her and the members of the BoxLunch Collective and “To support our team during this painful time.”

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Pugh-Kelley said one reason she is speaking out is to raise awareness for a petition that supports requiring life-saving food allergy measures in all food establishments.

“This action is not only a tribute to Dominique, but a necessary step to ensure that no family has to suffer such a devastating loss again,” she said Us. “Her family and friends are deeply hurt and deserve to have her here today. Her death was entirely preventable and underscores the urgent need for accountability and systemic change.”

As a public health expert, Pugh-Kelley said she was “outraged by the lack of food safety at the event.” She also argued that “food allergies are far too often dismissed as an inconvenience, when in reality they can be vital to those affected.”

a source previously said Us that 911 was called immediately and the company had previously reported guest allergies to the venue.

BoxLunch provides grief counseling for both employees and the BoxLunch Collective (the group of influencers they regularly work with and of which Brown was a member). The company is also conducting an independent investigation into the incident.

Pugh-Kelley first met Brown in 2019 on X (formerly called Twitter) after she made a comment about Disney World being superior to Disneyland.

Brown, who lived in California, was a Disney-inspired influencer under the stage name HellooDomo. She co-founded BlackGirlDisney in 2018 Mia Von After identifying a lack of representation in the Disney influencer space, we created a welcoming community for women of color who love the brand’s films and theme parks.

“Dominique co-founded BlackGirlDisney, creating a community of love, representation and joy that has inspired countless other social media groups, creators and communities, leaving a legacy of connection and inclusivity,” Pugh-Kelley shared Us. “From that first Twitter exchange, our relationship blossomed. Dominique became one of my biggest supporters – not only in terms of content, but also personally and as a business owner.”

Pugh-Kelley continued, “Her heart was as big as her dreams, and the love, admiration and gratitude of thousands of people is a testament to the impact she had on all of us.”

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As friends and family continue to mourn Brown’s death, Pugh-Kelley hopes her community can make a difference by signing a petition for increased action on food allergies.

“My heart and prayers are with her family,” she said. “Let us honor her legacy by advocating for the change she deserves.”

With reporting by Travis Cronin