By Besa Gordon - Seattle weather has been doing whatever Seattle weather wants to do these days… raining, windy, gray sky and just a little bit disrespectful to those of us that want to be outside.

The 12th annual Reign of Style Hair Show & Competition recently electrified Seattle Center, reaffirming its status as the Northwest’s premier event for the beauty industry. With Back2Besa host Besa Gordon in attendance, this spectacular day brought together a galaxy of talent for a celebration of artistry, community, and friendly competition. 

Like most people, I thought I knew the story. Love story, romance, the whole thing. But what I didn’t expect was how deeply it would hit when the story reached their older years — when dementia enters the picture and love starts looking different.

Another weekend means another episode of Back2Besa hosted by Besa Gordon, and this week we’re tapping into community, creativity, and the people who continue to show up and make a difference across the Pacific Northwest.

By Besa Gordon - March is Women’s History Month, and during my latest appearance on Good Day Seattle, I wanted to take a moment to highlight something a little different.

Boon Boona Coffee recently achieved another major milestone with the grand opening of its newest location at the Waterfront Park Overlook in Downtown Seattle. The event marked an expansion of Boon Boona’s footprint across the region, which already includes locations in Renton, Capitol Hill, University District, and Redmond. 

The recent GSBA Impact Awards Ceremony was a night of celebration, community, and recognition for those actively working to uplift the LGBTQ+ community across Washington State. The event at Town Hall Seattle was co-hosted for the second year in a row by a Converge Media dynamic duo, Besa Gordon and TraeAnna Holiday. 

What happens when classic culinary training meets the rich, soulful flavors of the Black diaspora? You get Pizza by Ruffin, Washington State’s first Black-owned pizzeria and a bonafide phenomenon in Seattle’s South Lake Union. 

Besa Gordon joined Good Day Seattle this morning to discuss the Empowering Youth Firearm Outreach Program (EYFO), a partnership between the University of Washington and the Seattle Police Department.  At its core, EYFO shares firearm trauma resources and teaches digital literacy situational awareness, empowering young leaders to use their voices and social media platforms for positive change.

Besa Gordon recently paid a visit to Seattle’s Marjorie Restaurant, a beloved Central District favourite, as part of her ongoing Support Black Business campaign. Gordon sat down with owner Donna Moodie, affectionately known to many as Miss Donna, to get a full rundown on the restaurant’s globally-inspired menu and commitment to community hospitality.

#ConvergeOnTheRoad - The energy was high in Mt. Vernon, Washington when Converge's own Curtis Delgardo II, aka Cuddy, and Besa Gordon linked up with DJ Defkawn and DJ Troll King on “The Re-Up” on KSVR 91.7 FM radio. While Besa and Cuddy regularly light up the Black Media Matters Studio like nobody’s business, they’re also everywhere like air, demonstrating Converge’s commitment to connecting with the community on the road.

Alright, coffee fam—let’s put you on to something special. What better way to commemorate the cold than to shout out some of Besa Gordon’s favorite PNW coffee spots that are not just serving up incredible brews, but also pouring back into the community? From Tacoma to Seattle, these are some of the Black-owned businesses and innovative cafes that are changing the game.

By Besa Gordon - This week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Erin Mayovsky on Good Day Seattle to talk about where Back2Besa is headed in 2026 — and more importantly, why this work continues to matter to me on such a personal level. When Erin asked me to describe the soul of Back2Besa, the answer came easily. The soul of this show has always been the community.

Besa Gordon takes a reflective look back at the 2023 V101.1 Holiday Jam at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, revisiting a moment when music, radio, and community collided. More than a concert recap, this segment captures the joy of being fully present—living in the moment with her radio family before realizing how meaningful that time would later become.

Many people who follow Besa Gordon now have never experienced one of her mixers, so here’s the story. She launched the Real Seattle Media Mixer in 2019 to create a space that didn’t quite exist yet — where people in media, especially creatives of color, could come together to ask real questions, share real stories, and build genuine connections.

This week on Back2Besa, host Besa Gordon is closing out the year with something special — Besa’s Favorites, a curated episode highlighting some of the segments, moments, and stories that have meant the most to her along the journey.

The Legendary Dope Show recently welcomed Back2Besa and Almost The Weekend! host Besa Gordon for an honest, joyful conversation about her media journey, personal growth, and what she’s learned along the way — on and off the mic. Hosted by the one and only Elisha Michelle, the episode felt less like an interview and more like a reminder that sometimes the path makes sense only after you’ve lived it.

While the approaching winter months are all about staying warm and cozy, that doesn’t mean you can’t fill your calendar with spirited holiday events across the Emerald City! Besa Gordon shared a few of her favorite productions, activities, and holiday hotspots that make this time of year in the greater Seattle area so special. These are the experiences that turn you back into a kid and remind you what the season is all about.

The holiday season is here, and you know what that means—it’s time to celebrate culture, community, and the businesses that truly light up the Emerald City! For Besa Gordon, the holiday season isn't just about finding the perfect gift; it's about shopping with intention and investing directly in the excellence of Seattle’s Black community.

The pops of corks and cheers of the community came together to celebrate the opening of OBK Winery’s new tasting room last month. The first Black-owned winery in Pierce County, OBK hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, demonstrating what can be achieved with perseverance, family, and community support.