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Converge On The Road, Back2Besa Nanealani Pickford Converge On The Road, Back2Besa Nanealani Pickford

PHOTOS: Cool Nutz celebrates birthday party at Alberta St. Pub in Portland, OR.

Portland music industry icon, Cool Nutz, recently took it back to his roots and celebrated his birthday bash at Alberta Street Pub in NE Portland just blocks from his original studio where he started making music years ago. Family, friends, fans, and  supporters from across Portland and as far away as Seattle and Eugene all showed up and showed out to literally give the Rose City rap legend his flowers.

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Back2Besa, By: Jordan Somers Besa Gordon Back2Besa, By: Jordan Somers Besa Gordon

PHOTOS: Solid Ground’s Anniversary Gala: 50 Years of Transformative Community Service

50 years is a long time, and in Solid Ground’s case, it’s a testament to how long they have been working to eradicate poverty in our greater Seattle community. Last week, Solid Ground celebrated its 50th Anniversary Gala, reflecting on the impactful work done over the years and the stories of those they have helped.

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All Elite Wrestling’s Nick Wayne Promotes Dynamite Coming to Angle Of The Winds Arena on Back2Besa

It’s not a secret that host of Back2Besa, Besa Gordon, loves wresting, so with All Elite Wrestling bringing Dynamite to Angle Of The Winds Arena tomorrow (5/15/2024), it should be no surprise that she sat down with AEW’s Nick Wayne in an interview that lasted nearly 40 minutes where they talk about everything from, how Nick got into wrestling, getting his AEW contract, his feud with Swerve Strickland, joining Christian Cage, why he betrayed Darby Allin, if he would ever turn on Christian Cage for a title shot and more.

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Back2Besa, Susan Fried Lorcan Stokes Back2Besa, Susan Fried Lorcan Stokes

Seattle's Personal Stylist Akia Ronai Reimagines Spring Style with Vibrant Collection on Back2Besa

A creative force in Seattle's fashion scene and beyond, Akia Ronai has carved out a distinguished career as a personal stylist, a fashion engineer, and a businesswoman. Her portfolio includes singers India Arie, Choklate, and Converge's very own Besa Gordon among her list of styled personalities. Recently, Ronai joined Gordon on Back2Besa to unveil a collection of spring essentials curated by her aimed to upgrade anyone's outfit with a colorful blend of comfort and style, offering a glimpse into the latest trends set to redefine wardrobes this season.

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Back2Besa, Susan Fried Besa Gordon Back2Besa, Susan Fried Besa Gordon

Relive Bubblin Brown Sugar 2024

For decades, Bubbling Brown Sugar has been giving our community goosebumps with the epic moves that happen on the floor, while creating nostalgic vibes from seeing different friends and family members that we haven’t seen for a while, due to a lot of us now not living in the central district anymore.

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Watch Back2Besa Episode 42 Hosted by Besa Gordon

This week on Back2Besa, we head to SoDo for the Sonics was taken event. We sail with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, we head to Renton for the 2024 Northwest Naturals Expo, and we hear from our friends at Ground Zero Radio as they head to the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in Tacoma to learn about their youth programs.

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Besa Gordon Previews Platinum Plush Fashions Grand Re-Opening Semgent on FOX 13’s Good Day Seattle

A new episode of Back2Besa is coming up this Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on FOX 13 Seattle, and we have a special story for you! We're excited to share the inspiring journey of Nikita Mathis, who just celebrated 23 years of Platinum Plush Fashions being in business. Not only that, but she also received a tenant improvement grant from the Seattle Office of Economic Development, which allowed her to have a grand re-opening.

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Photography, By: Jordan Somers, Back2Besa Omari Salisbury Photography, By: Jordan Somers, Back2Besa Omari Salisbury

PHOTOS: G. Prez Asphy joins the Clipper Round The World Crew on 70 Foot Racing Yacht

Earlier this week eleven 70 foot racing yachts and 200 fearless non-professional sailors arrived at Bell Harbor in Seattle after a 6000 nautical mile race across the North Pacific Ocean from Qingdao, China as part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the only event of its kind which trains everyday people to become ocean racers.

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Seattle Storm Gets a New Center for Basketball Performance

The Seattle Storm unveiled their Center for Basketball Performance, a home for our Storm players so they no longer have to occupy the SPU courts for practice. The Center provides the Storm two brand new courts and a strength training room for training, but also options for recovery in a health and wellness suite and aquatics center. A great way for the Storm to begin training camp for their 25th season!

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Back2Besa, Arts & Culture Besa Gordon Back2Besa, Arts & Culture Besa Gordon

Joel Duran Performs “The Girl On The Bus” on Back2Besa

In honor of National Poetry Month, Back2Besa host Besa Gordon highlighted four talented poets from the greater Seattle area. One of those poets was Joel Duran, an Afro-Latino poet born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Brooklyn, New York, who now calls Seattle home. Joel's poetry touches on themes of love, gentrification, and the complexities of city life. During the segment, Joel performed his poem "The Girl On The Bus." Be on the lookout for Joel's upcoming release of his bilingual poetry collection, "Infatuated: Un Poeta Enamorado," which explores the initial stages of love.

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PHOTOS: Hoops, Hype, and Heart: Inside SonicsWasTaken

Sonics fans, unite! Earlier this month, the SonicsWasTaken event that took place in SoDo brought together fans from all over the city to celebrate their love of basketball, fashion, art, design, music, culinary delights, libations, and community. Host Trae Holiday from The Day With Trae caught up with Sonics to discuss why they want the team back and what the community is doing to make it happen.

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In Case You Missed It: Watch Back2Besa Episode 41 Hosted by Besa Gordon

On this episode of Back2Besa, we talk Spring fashion trends with my stylist Akia Ronai, we uplift the Northside Step Team as they get ready for the 2024 West Coast National Youth Step Show Competition in Vegas, we get a look at the new Seattle Storm “Center for Basketball Performance” practice facility, we learn how to write your first poem with Converge media procedure and poet, Acacia Salisbury, we see poetry performances from Ebo Barton, Rhea Melina, and Joel Duran, Besa goes to her Dad's job bring your kids to work day at Rite In The Rain. Plus, we have events to know about.

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Back2Besa, Support Black Business Besa Gordon Back2Besa, Support Black Business Besa Gordon

PHOTOS: Celebrating 23 Years of Style: Platinum Plush Fashions' Grand Re-Opening

Platinum Plush Fashions marked its 23rd anniversary with a Grand Re-opening Celebration. Thanks to the Seattle Office of Economic Development, the store underwent a stunning transformation led by all Black contractors. Our cameras captured the historic ribbon-cutting ceremony as loyal community members joined owner Nikita Mathis in celebrating this momentous occasion.

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Back2Besa, Arts & Culture, Susan Fried Besa Gordon Back2Besa, Arts & Culture, Susan Fried Besa Gordon

PHOTOS: Bubblin Brown Sugar 2024

Our cameras were there as the community was brought together once again by the annual Bubblin Brown Sugar dance competition at Garfield High School. This event has been a beloved tradition for decades, uniting generations through dance and community fellowship. Dance teams from across Seattle came together to showcase their passion and talent, captivating the audience and uplifting one another in a display of unity.

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PHOTOS: Akia Ronai Gives 2024 Spring Fashion Tips

With springtime in the Pacific Northwest being a little unpredictable, you have to be ready for all weather types. This week on Back2Besa, Besa Gordon brings in her stylist, Akia Ronai, for her seasonal fashion tips. This season, Akia is highlighting Crochet/Lace, Animal Print, Burgundy, Sky Blue and Athletic Prep.

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