Centering Art, History, and Home: Takiyah “T-Dub” Ward on The Pop-Up!

Jun 30

On a recent episode of The Pop-Up!, Converge Media welcomed back a familiar face whose fingerprints are quite literally all over Seattle: Takiyah “T-Dub” Ward. From the iconic “Black Media Matters. Period.” wall inside the Converge studio to murals, footwear, and community activations across the city, Takiyah’s work has quietly shaped how Seattle sees itself.

Her conversation with host The Big O and Ashleigh McCurdy explored what it means to create art rooted in legacy, community, and sustainability. They explored how the transition from street-level murals to intentional gallery spaces represents a maturing of the local arts scene, where Black artists are no longer just reacting to moments but are building permanent monuments to their own experiences.

“Black Media Matters. Period.” – Art as Declaration

Early in the episode, The reminded viewers that the very first thing installed in the Black Media Matters studio wasn’t a wall, a desk, or a light. It was Takiyah’s “Black Media Matters. Period.” piece. This installation served as the foundational anchor for the entire space, setting the tone for every broadcast that has followed.

That period at the end? That was all her. It was a choice that transformed a slogan into an absolute truth, removing any room for debate or secondary interpretation. It signaled that the importance of Black media is a settled fact, not a question up for community discussion.

“Punctuation is everything,” she joked. But the point was serious.

The statement on the wall is a declaration that Black storytelling, Black platforms, and Black narratives are non-negotiable in this city. Takiyah’s art doesn’t just decorate space, but defines it. By centering this message, she forced the viewer to confront the necessity of representation before a single word was ever spoken on camera. This piece remains one of the most photographed and recognized elements of the studio.

World Cup Money, Local Reality

The conversation shifted to a recent Seattle Medium story by Kiara Doyal on how World Cup visitors impacted Black-owned businesses. The data presented a complex picture: while the city-wide economic impact was touted as a massive success, the micro-realities for Black entrepreneurs were far more nuanced. Some, like stadium vendors and popular restaurants in the International District or Downtown, saw real gains; others, particularly away from the stadium core, didn’t see the same bump.

Takiyah, who owns The Re-Sole 206 at 23rd & Union in the Central District, brought a grounded perspective. As a business owner who literally sees the city from the ground up through footwear and local retail, she highlighted the disconnect between global tourism and neighborhood foot traffic.

The CD is historic and central, but not always easy to access. Parking, traffic, and logistics all play a role.
Huge global events like the World Cup may bring big money to the city, but there’s no guarantee that energy or revenue reaches neighborhood businesses.
Activations at places like Seattle’s Midtown Plaza, including Juneteenth watch parties with LED screens and big community energy, build connections, but didn’t always translate into cash registers ringing.

Her conclusion was clear: you “can’t ride every wave.” Sometimes the real impact of these mega-moments is local activation in the form of neighbors reconnecting, kids outside, folks remembering the value of the businesses and spaces that are there year-round. She urged the community to focus on sustainable, internal support systems rather than waiting for the next international event to provide a temporary windfall. For Takiyah, true economic health is found in the everyday choices of the people who call Seattle home.

Colman Commons and the After Hours Art Walk

As a cultural anchor in Pioneer Square, Colman Commons is designed for stability. Takiyah and Executive Director Ashleigh McCurdy are building a space that rejects the sterile "white cube" gallery aesthetic. The environment prioritizes artist well-being over predatory commissions. Their upcoming After Hours Art Walk event this Thursday, July 2nd, aims to foster genuine community, allowing artists to network away from the transactional treadmill of standard art walks.

Breaking News: T-Dub’s First Solo Gallery Show

In true Pop-Up fashion, Takiyah dropped a gem on air: she’s gearing up for her very first full gallery show. While she has been part of countless group exhibitions and public art projects, this solo debut represents a significant milestone in her career. It is an opportunity for her to showcase the full breadth of her artistic vocabulary without the constraints of a specific theme or public commission.

Inspired by her work at Colman Commons, she’s now pushing herself to create a cohesive body of work and debut it at the space.

“This is breaking news,” she said. “Nobody’s heard of this yet… Had to bring it to the home team.”

For someone whose work already covers walls, shoes, and city blocks, a solo gallery show marks a new chapter, bringing her story, style, and perspective into a focused, intentional spotlight, right in a space she’s helping to shape.

Why This Conversation Matters

Takiyah’s interview on The Pop-Up! was a snapshot of Seattle’s Black cultural ecosystem in motion:

Black businesses navigating global events and uneven opportunity.
Black organizers and creatives reviving historic programs like the Panthers’ breakfast to meet today’s needs.
Black women leading the way in art, curation, wellness, and space-making at places like Colman Commons.
A continued insistence that Black art is not a trend, not a backdrop, but a central record of our history and our humanity.

From the period at the end of “Black Media Matters” to the first After Hours Art Walk at Colman Commons and the promise of a future solo show, Takiyah is doing exactly what she said she was put here to do: create, collaborate, and leave a stamp on the city that can’t be ignored. As she prepares for this next chapter, the entire city watches with anticipation, knowing that whatever she produces will be a part of Seattle's living history.

The first After Hours Art Walk at Colman Commons is happening this Thursday, July 2nd from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. by invitation only. Learn more about how to host your event at Colman Commons at colmancommons.com

Learn more about The Re-Sole 206 at theresole206.com

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays live at 9 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.