Since 2019, Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream has honored Women’s History Month by recognizing women whose leadership and work contribute to making communities safer, more equitable, and welcoming. For 2026, the company proudly presents four phenomenal women as its honorees: Jennifer Ament, Dr. Rachel Issaka, Nneka Ogwumike, and Joy Shigaki.

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. 

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. 

Seattle, get ready for a night of pure flavor and Black excellence this Saturday with the Cocktail & Charcuterie Experience, brought to you by two of the city's most innovative Black woman-owned businesses: Couture Cocktails and Hunter in the Cup. 

Fresh off their five-year anniversary, Communion Restaurant & Bar in Seattle’s Central District recently welcomed Almost The Weekend! co-host Curtis Delgardo II, aka Cuddy, to try Chef Damon Bomar’s house-made Bloody Mary. When Bomar made an appearance on Almost The Weekend! last year, Delgardo famously expressed his distaste for Bloody Marys, but he accepted the challenge to push his palate to new heights. 

Back2Besa host Besa Gordon recently visited Métier Brewing in the Central District for National Beer Can Appreciation Day on January 24th to chop it up with multi-disciplinary artist Damon Brown, a.k.a. Creative Lou, and Métier Brewing Company owner Rodney Hines. Brown, the visionary behind many of Métier’s iconic cans, is all about representing the stories of Blackness and the soul of Seattle’s Central District.

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.

Communion Restaurant recently marked its milestone fifth anniversary with a glorious celebration focused on gratitude and community. The event was deliberately focused on staff appreciation, a theme near to co-owner Chef Kristi Brown’s heart. The evening was a glamorous affair, styled with a Harlem Renaissance theme, enhanced by a quartet from the Garfield Jazz Band.

The Back2Besa crew recently kicked it at Métier Brewing in the Central District, where they connected with multi-disciplinary artist Damon Brown, better known as Creative Lou, the visionary behind many of Métier's striking beer can designs. Back2Besa host Besa Gordon and Converge co-founders The Big O and Erik Kalligraphy held it down behind the scenes. 

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.

During a recent conversation with The Big O, Chef Kristi Brown discussed the significance of narrative and the five-year milestone of Black culinary distinction at Communion Restaurant & Bar. Situated in the Central District at East Union Street and 24th Ave, Communion has dedicated the past five years to providing the community with outstanding care, exceptional soul food, and a remarkable team.

Communion Restaurant & Bar recently marked its milestone fifth anniversary with a glamorous Harlem Renaissance-themed celebration earlier this year that focused on celebrating its staff and community—a theme dear to co-owner Chef Kristi Brown. The evening's festivities featured a quartet from the Garfield Jazz Band, food from De La Soil, a mural timeline of the restaurant's journey, and special acknowledgements to long-time staff members.

Let’s be real, Seattle. The rain is back. The gray skies have officially settled in, and there’s only one appropriate response: ditch the salads, find your comfiest hoodie, and wrap your hands around a plate of soul-satisfying, stick-to-your-ribs comfort food. Here are a few of Besa Gordon's favorite destinations to find that rainy-day warmth!

In the first episode of Chef Trey Lamont’s new series Food With Melanin, the owner of Jerk Shack Kitchen sat down for a compelling conversation at Fat’s Chicken and Waffles with Chef Erika White. In the first installment of the series airing in 2026, the two owners talked about White’s career as a Southern soul food chef, the establishment of Fats Chicken and Waffles in Seattle's Central District, and the importance of community in running a restaurant.

Chef Wally, the owner of Wally's Northwest Soul, opened the doors to his new storefront last month in Seattle’s Central District. After a decade and a half of serving the community through selling plates, catering, and pop-up spots, the chef described his new brick-and-mortar location as a return home, celebrating the monumental achievement with the community that has deeply influenced him.

Besa Gordon joined Good Day Seattle this morning to showcase her recent trip to Vashon Island, made possible by King County Metro water taxi’s additional schedule running on Saturdays. On the island, Gravy Executive Chef and owner Chef Dre picked her up and gave her a tour of his favorite spots, including Vashon Island Baking Company and his own Southern restaurant, Gravy. 

Back2Besa is back with a week of good eats, grand openings, and immense creativity from both sides of Washington State. Artists from across the inland Northwest gathered in Spokane for Terrain’s 16th Annual Flagship Event, while Deaunte Damper set the vibes right at Inside’s recent open mic night uplifting underrepresented voices. In addition, Chef Trey Lamont kicked off his new series Food With Melanin at Fat’s Chicken and Waffles, putting the history and passion behind the kitchen on full display. 

In 2023, Besa Gordon joined Ashaunti Martin for her Couture Cocktails Halloween-themed cocktail class, an event that blended Martin’s expertise in bartending and mixology with Halloween spirit. As a seasonal class in Martin’s cocktail series, where she taught participants how to create an exciting array of delicious drinks, the event brought together community members looking to acquire a new skill and get in the Halloween season.  

Besa Gordon joined Good Day Seattle this morning to preview the first episode of Chef Trey Lamont’s new series Food With Melanin, launching in early 2026. Uplifting the history behind local kitchens, the Jerk Shack Kitchen chef is all about giving Black chefs their flowers and bringing their stories to the forefront.

Nothing screams your favorite auntie’s house like Fat's Chicken and Waffles, a New Orleans-inspired chicken joint in the heart of Seattle’s Central District. Opened in August 2015 by owner Erika White, the restaurant is nearing its ninth year of serving dishes that speak to the soul, paying homage to the rich culinary traditions of Louisiana.