Exciting news from "The Day With Trae" show! Trae Holiday has earned an Emmy nomination for the show's intro, and the excitement is real. Trae shared her joy and gratitude in a call this morning for this incredible achievement.

This week on Back2Besa FOX SOUL, host Besa Gordon takes viewers on a deep dive into the heart of Seattle's Black culture at the historic Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center. From its origins as a synagogue in 1915 to its transformation into a community hub in the 1970s, Langston Hughes has stood as a beacon of creativity, resilience, and celebration in the Central District.

On March 30, 2025, the Northwest African American Museum in Seattle’s Central District was filled with joy, reverence, and celebration as the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle Guild hosted its first annual Trailblazing Black Women in Washington State brunch.

Olympia, WA – In a ceremony decades in the making, the legendary Jimi Hendrix was posthumously awarded the Washington State Medal of Merit. The event, held at the state capitol, celebrated Hendrix’s profound and lasting impact on music and culture. This highest civilian honor recognizes individuals who have provided exceptionally meritorious service to Washington and its residents.

A complex legal battle involving a Seattle property and the Seattle Black Firefighters Association (SBFFA) continues to unfold, marked by court hearings, contempt orders, and disputes over hundreds of thousands of dollars in funds. Yohannes Sium, the attorney representing the plaintiffs Erwin Chappelle, Clarence Williams, and Cardell Thompson, provided an update on the ongoing proceedings, highlighting both delays and potential avenues for resolution.

The March 2025 CD Art Walk in Seattle's Central District was a deliberate effort to energize the neighborhood, spotlight local artists, and support Black-owned businesses. Stephanie Morales, the coordinator of the CD Art Walk and executive director of Made Space Seattle, stated the goal was to bring "energy, money, and attention" to the Central District, and importantly, to show "the history of the Central District and the people of the Central District."

Seattle 1960s Civil Rights Movement pushed to crush barriers and bring about awareness and just treatment across all vital and basic human needs and rights. Community-based organizations, some with national affiliations and all with volunteers who were dedicated to the causes they strongly supported, were advocates for equity in housing, education, jobs, and actively protested police brutality and demanded police accountability.

Members of the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association (SBFFA) await the ruling of a King County Superior Court judge over the property title of the association’s historic house. In the three weeks since the court found the defendants in contempt for illegally selling the property, the SBFFA has faced significant internal obstacles leading up to another ruling next week. 

Tucked behind a fluorescent mural of fruits and beaches is Taste of the Caribbean and Red Lounge, a vibrant restaurant and bar committed to bringing authentic Jamaican culture to Seattle’s Central District. 

#SupportBlackBusiness - Stephanie Morales is looking to fight gentrification through community ownership. Her business, Made Space Seattle, is a local event and art space rooted in support for Black creatives. Originally an artist herself, Morales has taken on the role of manager, fundraiser, program coordinator, and everything in between — often falling back on her artist income to keep the business running.

About 200 people, including prominent community and religious leaders and elected officials, attended the event. Among them were Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Seattle City Councilmembers Joy Hollingsworth and Mark Solomon, State Representative Chipalo Street, former Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best, and leaders from the Seattle School District, including Dr. Brent Jones and Dr. Sarah Pritchard. Additionally, several religious leaders, including Bishop Weatherspoon, Pastor Carey G. Anderson, and several ministers from the Church of God in Christ, were present to show their support.

In a significant victory for members of the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association (SBFFA), a King County Superior Court judge ruled today that the defendants are in contempt of court and will be sanctioned for illegally selling the SBFFA's historic house and excluding its founding members like Chief Claude Harris..

The Mount Calvary Christian Center, a landmark in Seattle's Central District, is slated for demolition in early February. The property was purchased in June 2021 by Gardner Global and Partners, with plans to develop an eight-story mixed-income housing building.

Members of the Seattle Black Firefighters Association (SBFFA) gathered at the King County Superior Court House in Kent today hoping for a ruling on the Association's house they say was illegally sold. 

A passionate plea for justice and the preservation of Black heritage echoed through Seattle's Central District yesterday as members of the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association (SBFFA) rallied in front of their former house. The gathering was a call to action, raising awareness about the Association's fight to reclaim the house they say was illegally sold and to galvanize support ahead of a crucial court date next week.

By Besa Gordon - I’ve been wanting to try this spot for a minute, especially after featuring it on Back2Besa. Since I wasn’t at that shoot, I had to check it out for myself and see what all the hype was about!

A somber mood settled over Seattle's Central District today as Jackson's Catfish Corner, a culinary landmark and community pillar, served its last meal. The unexpected announcement came this morning via owner Terrell Jackson's Instagram post, leaving patrons and community members stunned and saddened. The line outside the door, filled with people wanting to say their goodbyes and get one last taste of Jackson's famous catfish, spoke volumes about the restaurant's impact.

The tragic death of Amarr Murphy-Paine on June 6th cast a long shadow over the Garfield High School community. A peacemaker by nature, Amarr's life was tragically cut short as he intervened in a fight, just months before his 18th birthday. On the day that would have marked his entry into adulthood, friends, family, and the community gathered on the steps of Garfield High, mere feet from where he was killed, to celebrate Amarr's life, his legacy, and the enduring power of love in the face of tragedy.

Kwanzaa Lights at Wa Na Wari kicked off with “Dream Nightmare” by Martine Syms, part of her Kita’s World series exploring race, technology, and everyday performances. Visitors took in the outdoor light experience by Tariq Sahali while enjoying hot cocoa and sweets at the historic, Black-owned home.

Our cameras were rolling yesterday when the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association were holding a press conference on 23rd and E. Pike when they were confronted by a woman who claims to be the new owner of the property.