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Spotlight on Collaboration: Glazers, Elite Collective, and Converge Media Build the Next Generation of Creatives
At Seattle Center’s M5 Creative Studios, a powerhouse collaboration unfolded between Glazers Camera, Elite Collective, and Converge Media—bringing together seasoned media professionals and rising creatives for a day of hands-on training, storytelling, and community-building.
Honoring Jaden Joannes: A Story of Healing, Legacy, and Youth Empowerment on Back2Besa
This week’s Back2Besa segment on Good Day Seattle on FOX 13 took a powerful turn as guest host Tavis Conway stepped in to highlight a story rooted in heartbreak, hope, and community resilience. The interview centered on the life and legacy of Jaden Joannes, a graduate of Seattle’s Interagency Recovery High School who tragically passed away due to an overdose.
Choma Festival Brings East African Flavor and Community to Seattle’s Jimi Hendrix Park
Seattle is in for a cultural first this summer as the Choma Festival makes its debut at Jimi Hendrix Park on Saturday, June 28 from 12–6 p.m. This free, family-friendly event is rooted in the East African tradition of Nyama Choma (Swahili for “grilled meat”)—a cookout-style gathering that’s about more than just the food. It’s about connection, joy, and shared experience.
Island Soul: Where Food Meets Family, Legacy, and Love
Step into Island Soul in Seattle’s Columbia City, and you’re not just walking into a restaurant—you’re stepping into a legacy, a labor of love, and a cultural hub powered by family, flavor, and community.
From Dream to Design: Shogo Ota's Artwork Welcomes the World to Seattle
As Seattle gears up to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the city’s excitement is captured in more than just stadiums and team announcements—it’s also in the art. Shogo Ota, a Japanese-born artist now based on Camano Island, was named the finalist behind Seattle’s official host city poster.
Tavis Conway Grabs The Back2Besa Mic: A Deep Dive into Youth, Resilience, and Community in the Emerald City
Get ready for an impactful episode of "Back2Besa" this week, hosted by guest host Tavis Conway! Stepping in for Besa Gordon, Tavis brings a fresh, youthful perspective as we explore the real and raw experiences of teens and young adults in Seattle.
With Scope Screenings 2025 weeks away, we look back at last season.
The final Scope Screenings event of 2024 brought big energy, bold films, and even bolder community vibes to SIFF Cinema Uptown—and it all played out on a special Back2Besa episode guest-hosted by LexScope himself.
Rising Voices: How Speak With Purpose is Turning Youth Into Confident Leaders
At the heart of Seattle’s youth empowerment movement is a stage—not a big one, but one that holds powerful stories, big dreams, and young voices ready to be heard. That stage belongs to Speak With Purpose (SWP), and their annual Rising Voices showcase is a celebration of what happens when children are given not just the mic—but the confidence to use it.
Seattle Storm Community Comes Together for Annual Toy Drive
The Seattle Storm recently held their 11th annual Toy Drive benefiting Seattle Children's. It was a meaningful event, and a great display of the generosity of Storm fans who donated new, unwrapped toys during the May 30th game against the Atlanta Dream.
Real People. Real Stories. Real Impact. That’s Team TellsYa
Seattle has a lot of stories to tell—and Team TellsYa is here to make sure they’re heard, seen, and felt. Led by the ever-energetic Mark TellsYa, this crew isn’t just about filming content. They’re building connections, uplifting local businesses, and showing love to the culture that makes the Pacific Northwest special.
More Than Lifting: The Heartbeat of Community at Bull Stewart's Gym
In the heart of Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood sits Bull Stewart’s Gym—a sanctuary where strength training meets soul work. This isn’t just a place to lift weights. It’s a hub for transformation, community connection, and generational empowerment.
More Than Movies: How Pickford Film Center Builds Community in Bellingham
Nestled in downtown Bellingham, Pickford Film Center isn’t just a theater—it’s a movement. As the only art house cinema open 365 days a year between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., Pickford stands as a cultural cornerstone dedicated to telling powerful stories, supporting underrepresented filmmakers, and fostering connection through film.
Is Your Dating Style Actually Blocking Real Connection? Debrena Says It Might Be
In her latest Love Lab segment on Back2Besa, relationship coach Debrena Jackson Gandy delivers a powerful reality check: most of us aren’t actually getting to know the people we’re dating—we’re just measuring them against a checklist.
Altha’s Louisiana Cajun Store: Bringing Authentic Southern Flavors and Community to Kent
#SupportBlackBusiness - Reginald Robinson founded Altha’s Louisiana Cajun Store, located in downtown Kent, in 2016 with a vision to bring authentic Southern products to the Seattle area. Naming the store after his mother, he aimed to create more than just a business; he wanted a "home away from home" for his customers.
Mark TellsYa Uplifts Rising Voices on Good Day Seattle
Seattle-based social media influencer and content creator Mark TellsYa joined Erin Mayovsky on Good Day Seattle. Mark, known for using his platform to uplift businesses and support community projects, shared insights into his world of content creation and highlighted a significant event: the 11th annual Rising Voices competition.
Mark TellsYa Takes the Helm: This Week on Back2Besa
Hey, Back2Besa family! This week, we've got a special treat for you. While Besa enjoys a well-deserved break, the dynamic Mark TellsYa steps into the host's chair for an episode packed with the vibrant energy and stories of the Pacific Northwest. Get ready for a journey through community, culture, and creativity!
The Color Purple Hits the Stage with Soul, Power & Purpose at Village Theatre
Village Theatre’s new production of The Color Purple is more than a musical — it’s an emotional journey brought to life through rich harmonies, gospel roots, and a cast that feels like family.
Celebrating Youth Voices: The 11th Annual Rising Voices Showcase by Speak With Purpose
The power of youth storytelling will take center stage at the upcoming 11th Annual Rising Voices Oratory Showcase & Celebration, hosted by Speak With Purpose (SWP). The event, which amplifies the voices of young scholars across King County, will be held on Saturday, June 14 at the Seattle Museum of Flight. Preliminaries were Saturday, May 31, and the showcase is free and open to the public.
Spice with Purpose: Qemem Hot Sauce Brings Ethiopian Flavor to the Table
If you're someone who appreciates heat with flavor, Qemem Hot Sauce is a brand worth knowing. Recently featured on Back2Besa, Qemem founder Embeba sat down with Besa Gordon to share the story behind her bold, flavorful hot sauces that celebrate culture, community, and culinary creativity.
Drawn to Heal: Jenefeness Franke Talks Softness, Self-Love & the Power of a Healed Girl Summer
In an intimate and powerful Back2Besa interview, Besa Gordon sat down with author, speaker, and coach Jenefeness Franke to dive into her newest book Drawn To You—a heartfelt guide to healing, self-discovery, and feminine energy.