The Scope Screenings season finale, dubbed the Met Gala Edition, brought together local creatives last month for a night where fashion and film met at a harmonious crossroads. Held at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute in Seattle’s Central District, the event marked the conclusion of Scope Screenings’ fourth season. 

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.

Besa Gordon recently joined Good Day Seattle to spotlight the impactful work of Northwest Credible Messenger, a Federal Way–based organization dedicated to supporting youth, young adults, and community members through mentorship, behavioral health, and community-centered programming.

November’s “Scopesgiving” edition of the underground film festival Scope Screenings at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center shone a spotlight on the Pacific Northwest’s creative minds in film. The evening celebrated short-form content, from fashion-forward spec ads to documentary-style commercials and metaphysical comedies, including the trailer for Converge Media’s upcoming documentary “Diamond of Opportunity.”

Black joy and holiday spirit billowed through the Original Selfie Museum when Surge Reproductive Justice, a Black feminist reproductive justice organization, hosted its third annual Black Santa celebration earlier this month. Surge transformed the museum into a joyful community space centered on connection, representation, and festive activities intertwined with the organization’s dedication to systemic change.

While the approaching winter months are all about staying warm and cozy, that doesn’t mean you can’t fill your calendar with spirited holiday events across the Emerald City! Besa Gordon shared a few of her favorite productions, activities, and holiday hotspots that make this time of year in the greater Seattle area so special. These are the experiences that turn you back into a kid and remind you what the season is all about.

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. 

Scope Screenings, a monthly independent film festival, has cemented its place as a vital cornerstone of Seattle’s arts ecosystem. Last month, the festival brought together a variety of filmmakers, musicians, and creatives to showcase their short-form content on the big screen. With pride in their people and expression, the local creatives and team members revealed a profound dedication to community, artistic growth, and powerful storytelling.

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.

Last month, for the second year in a row, Converge Media visited Rainier Beach High School for the 8th Annual Black College Expo. The expo was more than a college-readiness event; it was a crossroads where students could connect with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and learn about opportunities to advance their higher education.

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.

The transformative healing arts studio A Space Inside recently hosted an open mic at River Seattle, hosted by Deaunte Damper, where local artists and marginalized creative voices could find solace and safety in the community’s undying support. Despite closing its doors earlier this year, A Space Inside’s permeates through the people it has touched, remaining a vital community hub for healing, expression, and unwavering support. 

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.

Spokane, WA - The Inland Northwest’s largest multimedia art and music festival, Terrain, recently celebrated its “sweet 16” with its annual art festival in the heart of Spokane, Washington. This creative mecca brought together nearly 500 artists from the region showcasing close to 900 pieces, and connected them with an audience of over 10,000 people.

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.

Back2Besa is back with a celebratory episode dedicated to Besa’s birthday. This week, we take a look back at some of Besa’s favorite stories from the past year, from Daddy Strollers Social Club to DEFY Wrestling in the Central District. We also take a trip across the bay to Vashon Island, made possible by King County Metro, for some tasty Southern food at Gravy.