Influential names in Seattle's Black business community gathered at Byrd Barr Place for Africatown Community Land Trust’s Building Black Wall Street Mixer and Chat. Hosted by Debrena Jackson Gandy and keynoted by Lewis Rudd of Ezell’s Famous Chicken, the event included a panel of successful Black entrepreneurs

Some of the most respected names in Seattle’s Black business community came together last week at Byrd Barr Place in the #CentralDistrict for Africatown Community Land Trust’s Building Black Wall Street Mixer + Chat. The mixer was hosted by author Debrena Jackson Gandy and keynoted by Central District business icon Lewis Rudd, co-founder of Ezell’s Famous Chicken.

Written by Besa Gordon: So, about my skin these days, part two. When I recorded this episode earlier in the week, I would be lying if I said I was not ready to throw in the towel because I felt awful that day. My skin was dry, cracking, burning, and flaking really bad. But, the show must go on, as some would say. I thought it was important to just really put it out there and show you guys, in real-time, what's truly going on with me and why I've been wearing sleeves even when it's warm outside. Because honestly…

On Monday, Africantown Community Land Trust held its annual Black Wall Street Market, which is part of the Summer of Soul Series. This year’s event brought life to the streets of 23rd and Jackson, where over 100 Black businesses gathered to celebrate and honor the rich history of thriving Black commercial centers throughout the country. T

Starda shared some powerful advice for those, especially the youth, who feel they are stuck in their current situation. “Youʻll never know how free you will feel when you really step out of your comfort zone and try something new.”

This week on Back2Besa, we are highlighting coffee shops in Seattle and Tacoma you should know about. One of those shops happened to be Luv-A-Late, located in the Tacoma Hill Top area. Owned by Andrea McCarthy, Luv-A-Late is loved not only for its drink and food options but also for the artwork by Bruce Pickford that graces the walls of the coffee shop.

L&M Hair Lounge, owned by Melody Brown, has quickly become a cornerstone of haircare in North East Portland, Oregon. Melody launched L&M as an online store in 2020 and expanded to her first salon in 2022. By 2023, she opened a second location, showcasing her dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. But the story doesn't end there.

In case you missed it, this week on Back to besa, we relive Solid Ground’s 50th Anniversary Gala, head to Portland to learn more about L & M Hair Lounge, and show you what it’s like to attend a soccer game in Portland, Oregon. Besa Gordon is also throwing it back to when we met Tiquette Bramlet, founder of Our Legacy Harvested, and when Besa and her friend Abby from Tanazina took the Amtrak train down to Portland for the weekend.

Owned by Quincy and Whitni Henry, Campfire Coffee Co, located in Tacoma, Washington. Was created as the couple wanted to open an outdoorsy coffee shop with the social goal of getting diverse families into nature. They opened their coffee shop in 2020, and have been thriving in their lane of coffee beans and camping ever since. 

Earlier this month, Besa Gordon, the host of Back2Besa, had caught up with Staten Island artist Starda. Starda recently made headlines by opening for Lil Wayne during his tour stop at the Tacoma Dome. During the interview, they covered various topics, including Starda's musical journey, his latest project, "The Starda Party," his experiences touring in Thailand, and much more.

During Besa's visit to the Broadway location of L&M Hair Lounge, they had the opportunity to delve deeper into the salon's offerings and ethos. It's a testament to Melody's dedication to her craft and community that such a thriving establishment exists.

Portland music industry icon, Cool Nutz, recently took it back to his roots and celebrated his birthday bash at Alberta Street Pub in NE Portland just blocks from his original studio where he started making music years ago. Family, friends, fans, and  supporters from across Portland and as far away as Seattle and Eugene all showed up and showed out to literally give the Rose City rap legend his flowers.

50 years is a long time, and in Solid Ground’s case, it’s a testament to how long they have been working to eradicate poverty in our greater Seattle community. Last week, Solid Ground celebrated its 50th Anniversary Gala, reflecting on the impactful work done over the years and the stories of those they have helped.

It’s not a secret that host of Back2Besa, Besa Gordon, loves wresting, so with All Elite Wrestling bringing Dynamite to Angle Of The Winds Arena tomorrow (5/15/2024), it should be no surprise that she sat down with AEW’s Nick Wayne in an interview that lasted nearly 40 minutes where they talk about everything from, how Nick got into wrestling, getting his AEW contract, his feud with Swerve Strickland, joining Christian Cage, why he betrayed Darby Allin, if he would ever turn on Christian Cage for a title shot and more.

Tomorrow is Eat What You Want Day and during Besa's appearance on FOX 13's Good Day Seattle, Besa Gordon previewed the Eat What You Want segment and talked about a few places you can go to eat well.

A creative force in Seattle's fashion scene and beyond, Akia Ronai has carved out a distinguished career as a personal stylist, a fashion engineer, and a businesswoman. Her portfolio includes singers India Arie, Choklate, and Converge's very own Besa Gordon among her list of styled personalities. Recently, Ronai joined Gordon on Back2Besa to unveil a collection of spring essentials curated by her aimed to upgrade anyone's outfit with a colorful blend of comfort and style, offering a glimpse into the latest trends set to redefine wardrobes this season.

For decades, Bubbling Brown Sugar has been giving our community goosebumps with the epic moves that happen on the floor, while creating nostalgic vibes from seeing different friends and family members that we haven’t seen for a while, due to a lot of us now not living in the central district anymore.

This week on Back2Besa, we head to SoDo for the Sonics was taken event. We sail with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, we head to Renton for the 2024 Northwest Naturals Expo, and we hear from our friends at Ground Zero Radio as they head to the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in Tacoma to learn about their youth programs.

A new episode of Back2Besa is coming up this Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on FOX 13 Seattle, and we have a special story for you! We're excited to share the inspiring journey of Nikita Mathis, who just celebrated 23 years of Platinum Plush Fashions being in business. Not only that, but she also received a tenant improvement grant from the Seattle Office of Economic Development, which allowed her to have a grand re-opening.

Earlier this week eleven 70 foot racing yachts and 200 fearless non-professional sailors arrived at Bell Harbor in Seattle after a 6000 nautical mile race across the North Pacific Ocean from Qingdao, China as part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the only event of its kind which trains everyday people to become ocean racers.