Pride Lives On: DeAunte Damper's Back2Besa Episode is a Must-Watch!
Deaunte Damper is all smiles as he takes ther reigns of Back2Besa this week for a special Pride Recap Edition. (Photos: Erik Kalligraphy)
In a truly special and monumental upcoming episode of "Back2Besa," guest host DeAunte Damper is taking the reins while Besa Gordon is on a well-deserved break, dedicating the entire hour to celebrating the LGBTQ community. This episode, a recap of Pride Month through Damper's and the community's lens, underscores a foundational commitment to supporting queer individuals that began three years prior. The goal is not to be performative, but intentional and foundational, an ethos that also led to Damper's own program, "We Live in Color."
The show, described as "beyond special" and "monumental" by Damper, focuses on prioritizing the voices of Black queer folks. This unique approach aims to create a "museum for our community," ensuring that stories that might otherwise go untold are heard and preserved. Damper highlights the importance of this episode for young people, especially given current local and national challenges, emphasizing that "Back2Besa" is providing a blueprint for visibility and belonging within the community.
The episode is packed with exciting content, starting with a powerful segment on the Pride Flag Raising Ceremony at Seattle City Hall. Organized by the LGBTQ Commission in collaboration with the City of Seattle, this event is a vibrant display of unity and acceptance, powerfully underscoring that Pride Month is an act of advocacy and a public declaration for fundamental human rights. Councilmember Rink and the LGBTQ Commission urge active participation and support for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-led organizations, highlighting the interconnectedness of social justice movements.
Further celebrating community and culture, the show features a segment on the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas' 25th anniversary celebration. The "Food is Art" benefit event at Seattle's McCaw Hall spotlights Black Seattle business owners, talented chefs, and innovative creatives, demonstrating CD Forum's unwavering dedication to supporting Black and BIPOC artists across the Northwest region.
A highlight of the episode is the focus on La Cha-Bliss Wine, a Black-owned business on Capitol Hill. Owner Howard Russell is celebrated for pouring his heart into creating a welcoming space that not only offers a diverse selection of wines but also actively supports other Black and Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) winemakers, bringing their unique stories to the forefront.
The "Fifth Annual Black Trans Comedy Showcase," organized by the Lavender Rights Project at Seattle Town Hall, is unequivocally Damper's favorite Pride event of the year. Featuring performances by Pinkfoot, Dahlia and Aryiah Jane, and expertly hosted by TS Madison, the showcase is a truly uplifting and profoundly moving experience, overflowing with laughter, affection, and powerful calls to action. Damper passionately urges continued embrace of authenticity, calling it a "superpower" for the trans community and their allies.
The episode also "rewinds" to revisit a past favorite story about Takiyah "TDUB" Ward, the visionary behind The Re-Sole 206. Her story serves as a reminder that building something from the ground up is about passion, resilience, and profound community impact, emphasizing that "Re-Sole 206 isn't just fixing shoes; it's mending spirits and fostering connections, one sole at a time."
Finally, Damper shares a personal and adventurous experience with the Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle at Red Barn Ranch in Auburn. What begins as an effort at self-care transforms into a deeply educational and calming journey, where Damper learns about the rich history of Black cowboys. This segment highlights the Buffalo Soldiers' work in inspiring the next generation by sharing their heritage and building strength through unity and tradition.
This upcoming "Back2Besa" episode, guest-hosted by DeAunte Damper, truly exemplifies a commitment to celebrating and uplifting diverse voices within the community, making it a monumental and foundational moment in media.
Catch Back2Besa this Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on FOX13 Seattle, Sunday at 10 a.m. on FOX13+, and free nationwide on the FOX Local App.
