PREVIEW This Week’s Episode of Back2Besa: Honoring Legacy, Healing, and Flavor Across Washington
Back2Besa is back with another week of culturally relevant stories that exemplify the potent community, historical legacy, and enduring spirit of the Pacific Northwest. From the grand stands of T-Mobile Stadium to some of the Pacific Northwest’s best chicken and waffles joints to the heart of Black culture and resilience on Seattle’s Capitol Hill, this week’s episode reminds us of the collective power of community.
Coming Home to T-Mobile Park
Kicking the week off strong is Besa’s iconic Mariners commercial that represents years of hard work and dedication recognized by one of Seattle’s biggest names in sports. From a little Black girl in Seattle’s Central District to television star featured on the stadium’s jumbotron, Besa’s visit to T-Mobile was more than an ad; it was a deeply emotional homecoming.
Fostering Community Leadership and Action With Credible Messenger
Next up, Back2Besa takes a look at Northwest Credible Messenger and their orientation program called Healing to Hope that trains community leaders to engage with young people in negative community groups and gangs. A key aspect of their methodology is to ground all efforts in behavioral health and the wellness of the youth, aiming to break cycles of poverty, incarceration, and gang violence, and emphasizing that people must be the catalysts for change to foster a flourishing community.
Honoring The Legacy of Suquamish Baseball
Besa turns back the clock to honor a legendary Suquamish baseball team who traveling to Japan over a hundred years ago to represent Native baseball on an international platform. This trip, undertaken by eight Suquamish players, helped establish a unique relationship between Seattle and Japan through baseball that has withstood the test of time. Their story reminds us the undeniable need for cultural representation in sports and history, as its impact goes far beyond a trip across the Pacific Ocean.
Celebrating National Chicken & Waffles Day!
What would a Back2Besa episode be without some good eats? Monday, October 20 is National Chicken & Waffle Day, so naturally, Besa had to show off some of the Pacific Northwest’s best chicken and waffle joints. First up is Fat’s Chicken and Waffles in Seattle’s Central District, followed by Buddy’s Chicken and Waffles in Tacoma, Washington. If you’re not hungry yet, then there must be something wrong!
Preservation and Perseverance of the Capitol Hill Black Lives Matter Mural
Closing out this week’s episode, Back2Besa spotlights the iconic Black Lives Matter mural on Seattle’s Capitol Hill in light of recent vandalism days after the mural’s annual repainting. Originally created by the Vivid Matter Collective in 2020 during the Black Lives Matter protests, the artwork has evolved from a pinpoint in time to a lasting legacy of local art, powerful culture, and ceaseless remembrance.
Catch Back2Besa every Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on FOX 13 Seattle and Sundays at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on FOX 13+. Viewers can also stream episodes anytime on the FOX Local app.
