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Blending Families, Friends, and Community: OBK Winery Opens New Tasting Room
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: How Seattle’s First Sneaker Dry Cleaner Is Revolutionizing Sneakercare
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.
Zara Jo Beauty Supply: Building Community Through Black Excellence
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.
The Re-Sole 206 Combine Sneakers and Service with Sole Food: For The Community
The Re-Sole 206 is hosting Sole Food: For The Community, spearheaded by Takiyah “T-Dub” Ward, this Saturday, November 29, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. This special gathering is a marketplace rooted in care, culture, and connection, combining The Re-Sole’s sneaker donation program with local vendors, tasty food, and a deep dedication to uplifting the community.
The Beauty of Representation: Besa Gordon Uplifts Zara Jo Beauty Supply On Good Day Seattle
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.
Remembering Mattice Hoyt: A Light Extinguished Too Soon, But A Legacy Lived On In Strength, Service and Spirit
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)
Trey Lamont and Erika White: A Conversation on Culture, Cooking, and Defining Success
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.
Pour and Explore: WeRise Wine Celebrates A Major Milestone with Private Label Launch
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.
SpoonFed Training: Celebrating a Decade of Fitness, Family, and Community
SpoonFed Training recently passed a monumental milestone, celebrating its 10-year anniversary with the grand opening of a new gym in Tukwila. This event signified a new chapter for the fitness center after outgrowing its previous location, and brought together SpoonFed’s dedicated community, who shared their love and appreciation for the organization's profound impact on the Black community.
Beloved Island Soul Restaurant At Risk Facing Foreclosure Deadline
Island Soul Rum Bar & Soul Shack, a beloved family-owned Caribbean soul food restaurant known for their signature oxtail stew and rich gumbo, is fighting to keep their doors open in Seattle’s Columbia City.
Marquinta Obomuna Talks SistahBoss’ Making Boss Moves Legacy Summit
In a recent interview on "The Day With Trae," Marquinta Obomanu, co-founder of SistahBoss, passionately shed light on the organization's profound mission to empower and uplift Black women in the Pacific Northwest.
The Vegan Visionary: How Kae Hart is Redefining Plant-Based Dining
Kae Hart, the visionary co-owner of Moe Vegan, visited "The Day with Trae" last week to share his inspiring journey into the plant-based culinary world and the remarkable growth of his business.
Fynniecko Glover Jr. Highlights Enterprise Nexus’ Upcoming Career Fair
Monday’s episode of "The Day with Trae" featured Fynniecko Glover Jr. from the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County. He discussed the highly anticipated Enterprise Nexus event, a groundbreaking career-style fair meticulously designed for entrepreneurs on September 12th.
Zara Jo Beauty Supply: A Central District Newcomer Leads With Representation
Six days a week sits Jamal Wilson, the owner and founder of Zara Jo Beauty Supply, in his new storefront on Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Opened on May 10 of this year, the vibrant Central District storefront provides beauty products and services for the Black community that were otherwise scarce.
Wellness Gaines Fitness: A Renton Gym Fosters Joy and Inclusion
#SupportBlackBusiness - Positivity and passion define Wellness Gaines Fitness, a Renton gym dedicated to bridging the gap between physical and mental health. Founded by owner and trainer Kyra Gaines in June 2022, the gym was built to be a safe, welcoming space where individuals from all backgrounds can feel seen, empowered, and inspired.
Emma’s BBQ: A South End Staple Pivots After Leaving Lumen Field
For grandmother and granddaughter Tess and Miceala Thomas, their livelihood is more than a barbeque joint; it’s an homage to the generations that came before them.
With nearly 150-year-old recipes concocted by Tess’ late mother Emma Thomas, the two women have led the iconic Emma’s BBQ with love and laughter for eight years in Columbia City.
JWalk Entertainment: A Progressive Production Company Aims to Take Seattle by Storm
#SupportBlackBusiness - An empowering combination of Black storytelling and cutting-edge production technology defines the Seattle-based production company JWalk Entertainment. Featured in comic conventions and film festivals across the country, JWalk is fueled by the owner and founder TJ Walker and his boundless desire to serve youth.
The Makeup Within: A Powerhouse Salon and Spa Expands Their Milton Location
Dianna Kennedy is a woman of many facets. Between being the reigning Mrs. Washington Curvé 2025 and a committed wife and mother of seven children, she owns and operates a full-service salon and spa, The Makeup Within Beauty Studios in Milton.
Legacy Hair and Beauty Supply: A Hillman City One-Stop Shop Prioritizes Family and Community
For Patt Butler Lathan, quitting is never an option. As the sole operator of Legacy Hair and Beauty, a one-stop beauty supply store in Hillman City, she runs her business with unfiltered determination to inspire and serve her family and community.
JJ’s House of Soul: A Soul Fusion Pop-Up Perseveres Through Financial Inconsistency
#SupportBlackBusiness - As long as Seattle stays hungry, Nita Jackson will be whipping up a batch of her famous five-cheese mac and cheese, a crowd favorite at her pop-up restaurant and private catering business JJ’s House of Soul.