Written by Besa Gordon: Recently, I headed to West Seattle for the HBCU drink competition, where eight different bartenders came together to compete and see who could make the best Old Fashioned using Uncle Nearest Whiskey. For those that don't know, the whiskey is named after the formerly enslaved man, Nathan "Nearest" Green, who taught a young Jack Daniel the craft of distilling. As of 2023, eight brand variants have been produced. According to the IWSR, Uncle Nearest is the fastest-growing whiskey brand in the United States and is recognized as the most successful black-owned distillery in the world.

Written by Besa Gordon - It's Nutcracker season for the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and you already know I had to pull up and give you a behind-the-scenes look at how it all goes down before and during the show at MaCaw Hall. In case you missed this weekend's episode of Back2Besa on FOX 13 Seattle (btw if you missed it, you deff missed a lot), in this segment, we met with the youth that are part of the show, we went down to the orchestra pit, we went to their dressing rooms to see the dancers getting their makeup done, plus we even went to the side stage and saw dancers coming on and off the stage.

This week on Back2Besa, we’re highlighting Tiffany Willson, who is part of this year's Teatro Zinzanni; we head to Portland, Oregon for a Christmas tree giveaway with Trap Kitchen PDX, we go backstage at the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker, we highlight hot fish house in Lakewood Washington, we go to the communion 3-year anniversary party, Besa talks about what Sankofa Theatre which is no longer open, meant to her and the community, and Events To Know about along with Hot Topics are back this week.

Written by Besa Gordon - Now, THIS is how you have an anniversary party! In case you missed it, Communion Restaurant and Bar celebrated their 3-year anniversary Tuesday evening, and you already know your girl had to pull up to support. I always say Communion is one spot that's more than just your average restaurant. People really do come there to commune with the community. I'm always reconnecting with friends I grew up with in the Central District when I stop by. And this night is no different.

On Tuesday, Communion Restaurant and Bar celebrated their 3 year anniversary. It was a night full of joy as the community came together to celebrate this fantastic milestone. Owned by the Mother-Son duo Chef Kristi Brown and Damon Bomar, Communion was opened during the pandemic and continues to thrive. It's a place where people not only come for their delicious foods. But also to commune with the community.

Written by Besa Gordon - I recently had the pleasure of visiting WOW Gallery in Pacific Place Mall (located in downtown Seattle) to have an in-depth and even emotional at times, conversation with Veronica Very about the space, why she decided to open it in what used to be Pacific Place Mall's Victoria's Secret, and what this space means to not only her, but our community as well.

The Habesha Networks Fall Brunch Series happened on Sunday across 11 Cities, and Seattle was one of them. These networking events are amazing for anyone who wants to connect with the community, even if they are not Habesha. The Seattle event took place at Agelgil Ethiopian Restaurant on Cherry Street in Seattle, where people came together to not only network but also there was an opportunity for them introduce themselves to the group and promote their business.

Chillleeee, I had a time this day! In case you missed the most recent episode of Back2Besa, then you missed my segment where I pulled up to Lumen Field and got dripped out in Seahawks gear at the Pro Shop. Twas a whole shmood. Literally walked in there and was hype when I saw all the throwback jersey gear, Christmas items, and don’t get me started on their Kingdom line. Dude, I didn’t even knoowww, they had a Kingdom line, but that was a whole vibe too.

Not long ago, Back2Besa and HITS 106.1 Seattle Host Besa Gordon hopped on the Amtrak to Portland, Oregon with her production team and Tanzanian Radio Host on MjiniFM Abby Plaatjes to tell some of the stories of Portland’s Black community.

Don't miss episode 23 of Back2Besa, hosted by our very own Besa Gordon. Tonight, we have another very packed itinerary, and viewers are in for a treat.

Last Sunday Converge Media partnered with the Emergency Feeding Program (@emergencyfeeding ), Tre Simmons (@tresimmons13 ), Gardner Global (@jaebadiah , The Chosen Few, Hashtag Lunchbag (@hashtaglunchbagsea )A 4 Apple (@a4applelearningcenter ) and more for their annual meal kit giveaway. Hosted at the Holy Temple Evangelistic Center in Skyway, the event featured meal kits, books, clothing, and other resources for the community, including 400 meal kits.

It was a good night to be at Climate Pledge Arena as our Seattle Kraken took on the New York Islanders on hockey fights cancer night.

On Wednesday, the Emergency Feeding Program stopped by Pioneer Square to provide meals and supplies to those in need. Our Besa Gordon was there along with the Back2Besa crew to catch up with the organizers and help out as the EFP team work to make the holidays a little brighter in the community.

One of Seattle’s most iconic poets hosted a book reading and signing event at Cultural Art Galley and Event Space TASWIRA last week.

Have you heard of Beau Legs Fish and Chips in Lacey, Washington? The family-owned restaurant has been serving the community for the last 15 years and is going strong. Serving staples like jambalaya, grits, gumbo and more, Beau Legs uses family recipes to bring soul food to Lacey.

Recently, Award-Winning Radio Host on Mjini FM in Tanzania and Author of The Life In My Men Abby Plaatjes travelled to Seattle, Washington to spend time exploring the Pacific Northwest and promote her book.

Recently, Besa Gordon headed down the I-5 corridor to the Rose City to tap in with some of the folks who make it special. While there, she hit up the Moda Center for a Trailblazers game and linked up with her good friend DJ OG One.

Last week on Back2Besa, Host Besa Gordon headed to Providence Park in Portland to tap in with Portland Timbers and Thorns FC VP of Community and Social Impact Dr. Robin Beavers, who works to build community through soccer in the Rose City.

Besa Gordon tapped in at the Columbia Tower Club’s SipNShop Art Expo, which featured local artists displaying and selling their work alongside local food and drink options. The event featured a wide variety of art, from painting to sculpture and even candles and gems.

The weather is getting colder, and that means it’s candle season. Besa Gordon took a trip over to Noir Lux  Candle Co. to tap in with Owner and CEO Colina Bruce, who founded the company in her kitchen during the pandemic.