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.

The Re-Sole 206, Seattle’s very first sneaker dry cleaning business is revolutionizing how people care for their sneakers. Takiyah “T-Dub” Ward, artist and founder of the Re-Sole in Seattle’s Central District, offers high-quality customization and restoration services while also serving as a community hub to educate locals on the power of sneaker maintenance and sustainability. 

In the heart of Seattle's Central District, Zara Jo Beauty Supply is redefining the beauty product shopping experience for the Black community. Focusing on representation and Black-owned brands, the store's owner Jamal Wilson and Director of Events and Community Development Autumm Coles shared the inspiring journey behind their business and its commitment to the community.

The Re-Sole 206 is hosting Sole Food: For The Community, spearheaded by Takiyah “T-Dub” Ward, this Saturday, November 29, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. This special gathering is a marketplace rooted in care, culture, and connection, combining The Re-Sole’s sneaker donation program with local vendors, tasty food, and a deep dedication to uplifting the community. 

Besa Gordon joined Good Day Seattle this morning for a Support Black Business uplift of Zara Jo Beauty Supply, a new beauty supply store in Seattle’s Central District owned by Jamal Wilson. After stopping by the storefront with Converge Media host Trae Holiday, Gordon shared that she left feeling joyful and represented. 

The news hit us at Converge Media like a gut punch: Mattice Hoyt, the resilient and utterly inspiring "unofficial mayor of Tacoma," has left us. At just 39 years old, Mattice’s passing leaves a hole in the heart of Tacoma and in the hearts of all of us who had the privilege of knowing her. We are heartbroken, but we also find ourselves reflecting on the profound impact she had, not just on her community, but on each of us at Converge Media, Besa Gordon, and the entire Back2Besa family. (Read more here)

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.

This week on Good Day Seattle, Back2Besa host Besa Gordon brought a little sweetness to the set for her birthday episode with custom cupcakes from Sweetpea’s Cakes.

WeRise Wine, a Seattle wine bar dedicated to promoting diversity and representation in the wine industry, celebrated the one-year anniversary of its wine club with a Pour and Explore event last month. The celebration, held at the bar’s Downtown Seattle location, not only commemorated the milestone but also introduced its new private-label wine to its loyal community.

When Besa Gordon filmed her behind-the-scenes for this week’s episode of Back2Besa, celebrating her birthday, one familiar face made the day even more special — makeup artist Teme Wokoma, owner of LXD Beauty. For Besa and Teme, the shoot wasn’t just another day on set; it was a reunion of two friends who’ve shared a journey from their high school dance team, Kutt’N’Up, to working side-by-side in professional media.

SpoonFed Training recently passed a monumental milestone, celebrating its 10-year anniversary with the grand opening of a new gym in Tukwila. This event signified a new chapter for the fitness center after outgrowing its previous location, and brought together SpoonFed’s dedicated community, who shared their love and appreciation for the organization's profound impact on the Black community.

By Besa Gordon - Did you miss my girl Chef Lynn’s Golden Juicy Crab Boil? Well, clearly I didn’t, because your girl was eating good! So let me tell you how it all went down — and yes, how I was eating like I hadn’t been fed all week.

Island Soul Rum Bar & Soul Shack, a beloved family-owned Caribbean soul food restaurant known for their signature oxtail stew and rich gumbo, is fighting to keep their doors open in Seattle’s Columbia City. 

In a recent interview on “The Day With Trae,” BP Parker, the visionary behind the Love is Dope clothing brand, shared insights into his creative journey and the powerful message he aims to spread. More than just fashion, "Love is Dope" is a lifestyle, deeply rooted in Parker's personal experiences and commitment to uplifting his community.

In the heart of Puyallup, Washington, Sharron Hayes, owner of Braided and Dreaded, has cultivated more than just a hair salon; she's built a sanctuary for cultural preservation and authentic self-expression. Her journey, marked by unyielding resilience, empowers Black and brown individuals to achieve success while honoring their heritage with top notch hair care, on braid and dread at a time. 

The Enterprise Nexus event in North Seattle last month brought together a wealth of resources and support for aspiring and established entrepreneurs in the Seattle King County metropolitan area.

Peace Peloton’s upcoming Harmony Hustle Pitch Competition, an annual fundraiser where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas for a chance to win $10,000, is right around the corner. The deadline for applications is October 25, with the final Harmony Hustle pitch event on November 7 at Porter in downtown Seattle.

Besa Gordon joined Good Day Seattle this morning to talk about Braided and Dreaded, a hairstylist in Puyallup serving military and high profile clients. Besa explained that owner Sharron Hayes, a decorated US Army veteran, channeled her life’s challenges into her craft behind the chair, and is all about preserving Black cultural authenticity one braid at a time.