Besa Gordon joined Good Day Seattle this morning to give updates on the Black Lives Matter mural on Seattle’s Capitol Hill in light of recent acts of vandalism last week. Besa expressed her frustration with the undoubtably malicious behavior.

The inaugural Seattle Disability Arts Festival at Pier 62 on the Waterfront created an energetic and inclusive space during Disability Pride Month in July. This event, co-created with and for the disabled and artist communities, reflected a powerful vision of belonging and challenged existing norms and inequalities in Seattle's art scene and beyond. 

The Indigiqueer Festival, held at Seattle's Waterfront Park in June, was a joyous celebration of Indigenous culture and Two-Spirit pride. This event brought together Indigenous communities from regions across the state, fostering connection, healing, and joy in a moment of pure representation.

Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream celebrated the grand opening of its new waterfront shop this summer, marking a major landmark on Seattle’s new Waterfront Park. The event brought together founder and CEO Molly Moon Neitzel, her dedicated team, and a host of local partners who contribute to the beloved ice cream's unique flavors.

Over the course of nearly two decades, Pier 58 and the Seattle Waterfront has undergone a remarkable transformation, culminating in a vibrant public space that reflects the spirit of the Emerald City. This ambitious project, a testament to perseverance and community collaboration, has brought new life to the heart of Seattle.

Chef Red, founder of Come Eat Daddy, brought her signature Southern soul food to the 2025 NAACP State Area Conference for Alaska, Oregon, and Washington last month at the Tacoma Glass Museum. The event brought history to life by celebrating civil rights leaders from across the region, with Chef Red’s food setting the tone for a night of cultural pride and empowerment.

In the heart of Puyallup, Washington, Sharron Hayes, owner of Braided and Dreaded, has cultivated more than just a hair salon; she's built a sanctuary for cultural preservation and authentic self-expression. Her journey, marked by unyielding resilience, empowers Black and brown individuals to achieve success while honoring their heritage with top notch hair care, on braid and dread at a time. 

The annual Farm Fest, a community celebration of urban agriculture at Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands, recently brought together organizations and community passionate about local sustainable food systems.

By Besa Gordon - Day two of Terrain 16 was a whole vibe! I’m not gonna lie, your girl definitely slept in because that road trip had me wiped out. But once I got up, it was go time. First stop, Durkin’s—because it’s basically a Spokane tradition at this point.

Last month, the organization Hip Hop is Green took over Cherry Street for a festival showcasing local artists and their unapologetic mission in teaching environmentalism through the culture. Keith Tucker, executive director and founder of Hip Hop is Green, proudly declared his operation as the greatest plant-based hip-hop organization in the world.

The Enterprise Nexus event in North Seattle last month brought together a wealth of resources and support for aspiring and established entrepreneurs in the Seattle King County metropolitan area.

By Besa Gordon: Terrain never disappoints, and this year was no different! Day one of Terrain 16 kicked off with a preview night full of energy, art, and community. If you’ve never been, trust me, you want to hit both days. With so many performances, installations, and artists in the mix, there’s no way to take it all in at once.

Back2Besa is back, and this week, it’s all about Seattle’s new Waterfront Park! This weekend, Besa is taking a look back at all the monumental moments, memories, and all around good vibes that defined Summer 2025 thanks to the Waterfront, from incredible art showcases like Indigiqueer, to inspirational live music and community building at Africatown Soul on the Water, to the official Grand Opening Celebration just last month.

Besa Gordon joined Good Day Seattle this morning to talk about the Emerald City’s new Waterfront Park that hosted some of this summer’s most joyous moments and all around good vibes for the Seattle community. From the Overlook Walk to the stream of art installations and live music, Besa made clear that the Waterfront is more than a park—its a platform to reconnect with Seattle’s roots.

For the past two months, Scope Screenings has emerged as an essential film festival in Seattle’s Central District, fostering community and showcasing diverse talent in Seattle's Central District. Held monthly at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, the event brings together filmmakers, musicians, and artists for a unique and informal celebration of creativity.

This week on Back2Besa, Sharron Hayes, owner and CEO of Braided & Dreaded, is sharing her powerful story of perseverance and cultural advocacy through her personal perspective on hair. Hayes and producer Evanne Robinson share their perspectives behind the production process in telling the resilient story of Braided and Dreaded.

Back2Besa is back with another weekend full of stories that highlight culture, community, and resilience across the Pacific Northwest. This episode of Back2Besa takes viewers on a journey through powerful calls to action, unimaginable resilience, and the bread and butter of culture that remind us why representation and connection matter.

Last month, the Cajun and Creole Festival in Kent, Washington brought the flavor of Louisiana to the Pacific Northwest with delicious food, live music, and energy through the roof. Reginald Robinson, owner of Altha's Louisiana Cajun Store and Deli and organizer of the festival, affirmed the "love in the air.”

Besa Gordon joined Good Day Seattle this morning to talk about Braided and Dreaded, a hairstylist in Puyallup serving military and high profile clients. Besa explained that owner Sharron Hayes, a decorated US Army veteran, channeled her life’s challenges into her craft behind the chair, and is all about preserving Black cultural authenticity one braid at a time. 

Marcus Harden, curator of the "History Lives Here" Museum exhibit at the Northwest African-American Museum, is all about celebrating local heroes. For the past eight years, he's been writing a blog every Black History Month, shining a light on people he's met and those doing amazing things in the community.