By Ashleigh McCurdy - Last month, a few of my fellow Converge colleagues and I were invited to WeRise Wines in downtown Seattle for a private tasting of the new menu and wine pairings. What unfolded was an experience rooted in hospitality, thoughtful curation, and a larger mission centered on visibility and community. 

Black excellence and good vibes swarmed the Black Media Matters Studio last month when Couture Cocktails and Hunter in the Cup hosted a special Cocktails and Charcuterie Night. The event served as an intimate celebration of Black History Month, successfully combining high-end mixology and culinary art.

Since 2019, Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream has honored Women’s History Month by recognizing women whose leadership and work contribute to making communities safer, more equitable, and welcoming. For 2026, the company proudly presents four phenomenal women as its honorees: Jennifer Ament, Dr. Rachel Issaka, Nneka Ogwumike, and Joy Shigaki.

Boon Boona Coffee recently achieved another major milestone with the grand opening of its newest location at the Waterfront Park Overlook in Downtown Seattle. The event marked an expansion of Boon Boona’s footprint across the region, which already includes locations in Renton, Capitol Hill, University District, and Redmond. 

Seattle, get ready for a night of pure flavor and Black excellence this Saturday with the Cocktail & Charcuterie Experience, brought to you by two of the city's most innovative Black woman-owned businesses: Couture Cocktails and Hunter in the Cup. 

Fresh off their five-year anniversary, Communion Restaurant & Bar in Seattle’s Central District recently welcomed Almost The Weekend! co-host Curtis Delgardo II, aka Cuddy, to try Chef Damon Bomar’s house-made Bloody Mary. When Bomar made an appearance on Almost The Weekend! last year, Delgardo famously expressed his distaste for Bloody Marys, but he accepted the challenge to push his palate to new heights. 

Back2Besa host Besa Gordon recently visited Métier Brewing in the Central District for National Beer Can Appreciation Day on January 24th to chop it up with multi-disciplinary artist Damon Brown, a.k.a. Creative Lou, and Métier Brewing Company owner Rodney Hines. Brown, the visionary behind many of Métier’s iconic cans, is all about representing the stories of Blackness and the soul of Seattle’s Central District.

Besa Gordon recently paid a visit to Seattle’s Marjorie Restaurant, a beloved Central District favourite, as part of her ongoing Support Black Business campaign. Gordon sat down with owner Donna Moodie, affectionately known to many as Miss Donna, to get a full rundown on the restaurant’s globally-inspired menu and commitment to community hospitality.

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.

The Back2Besa crew recently kicked it at Métier Brewing in the Central District, where they connected with multi-disciplinary artist Damon Brown, better known as Creative Lou, the visionary behind many of Métier's striking beer can designs. Back2Besa host Besa Gordon and Converge co-founders The Big O and Erik Kalligraphy held it down behind the scenes. 

Alright, coffee fam—let’s put you on to something special. What better way to commemorate the cold than to shout out some of Besa Gordon’s favorite PNW coffee spots that are not just serving up incredible brews, but also pouring back into the community? From Tacoma to Seattle, these are some of the Black-owned businesses and innovative cafes that are changing the game.

During a recent conversation with The Big O, Chef Kristi Brown discussed the significance of narrative and the five-year milestone of Black culinary distinction at Communion Restaurant & Bar. Situated in the Central District at East Union Street and 24th Ave, Communion has dedicated the past five years to providing the community with outstanding care, exceptional soul food, and a remarkable team.