The Return of The Big O: Omari Salisbury on Media, Mobility, and Legacy
This week on Almost the Weekend, Besa Gordon sat down with Omari Salisbury, CEO of Converge Media, for an honest and heartfelt conversation about media, healing, and what comes next. Fresh off hip replacement surgery, Omari joined the show to talk about his newest platform, The Big O Show, and why this season of his life is rooted in intention and authenticity.
A New Chapter: The Big O Show
After retiring The Morning Update Show in 2022, Omari spent several years working behind the scenes. During that time, he helped produce award-winning films, launched new shows, and earned an Emmy for The Day with Trea. While he never stopped creating, this moment marks his return to being in front of the camera.
The Big O Show represents a shift away from rigid, traditional news formats. Instead, it’s built to be flexible and personal—blending studio interviews with conversations happening directly in the community.
As Omari shared during the interview, the show is structured around who he is now, while still delivering the news and information the community wants and needs.
Overcoming the Silence of Pain
One of the most impactful moments of the conversation came when Omari opened up about living with chronic pain before his surgery. He explained how pain doesn’t just limit your body—it can quietly limit your dreams and sense of possibility.
Now mobile again, Omari described the experience as life-changing. Waking up without pain, he said, has brought a renewed sense of joy, clarity, and motivation that shows up in both his work and his outlook on life.
Global Roots, Local Heart
While many people know Omari for his work in Seattle, his perspective has been shaped by a global career. From his early days in student journalism at Garfield High School to launching television and radio platforms across Africa and the Middle East, Omari’s journey spans continents.
Living and working internationally taught him how to listen deeply, understand different cultures, and connect with people where they are. Those experiences continue to influence how he interviews guests and approaches storytelling today.
Though he’s worked with major artists and global platforms, Omari has always stayed focused on elevating culture and telling stories with care.
A Legacy of Uplift
At the center of everything Omari builds is legacy. During the interview, he spoke about the influence of his parents—his father’s background in journalism and photography and his mother’s long-running radio show. Storytelling, for Omari, isn’t just a career path—it’s part of who he is.
That foundation is what keeps Converge Media grounded in uplift, accountability, and community. Every story told is rooted in pride, responsibility, and the desire to make his parents proud.
As Omari looks ahead, he shared that he still feels there’s something unfinished—more stories to tell, more growth ahead, and a level of greatness he’s determined to reach in his own time.
The conversation was a reminder that sometimes progress isn’t about doing more. It’s about moving forward with clarity, purpose, and heart.
Photos by Erik Kalligraphy
