On March 8–9, 2025, Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) makes its highly anticipated return to The Paramount Theatre in Seattle with a thrilling lineup of performances, including the world premiere of The Cookout—a bold new work by Robert Garland, DTH’s visionary artistic director.

“Thrive” is happening on Saturday, March 15, 6:00-9:00pm, at the WOW Art Gallery in Pacific Place for an evening of community, collaboration, and art at our spring fundraising dinner, Thrive.

Simon Okelo discussed the Madaraka Festival's origins and growth since 2014. The event supports youth programs in East Africa, unites African communities, and celebrates Kenyan independence. Entering its 11th year, the Madaraka Festival is scheduled for September 6 at Pier 62 in Seattle.

The Black Owned Business Excellence (BOBE) symposium was a resounding success, and DeAunte Damper, host of "We Live in Color" on Converge Media, was in the heart of it.  Not only did he experience the energy of Black excellence and entrepreneurship, but he also received the Elijah L. Lewis Community Advocate Award.

The Black Owned Business Excellence Symposium (BOBE) was a resounding success, focusing on Black excellence, business, and elevation. The event provided valuable resources and tools for Black business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, including training sessions and networking opportunities.

The town hall will combine education and open conversation. A panel of subject experts and individuals with lived experience will discuss various aspects of HIV in Black communities. Topics will include prevention, treatment, advocacy, and the social factors that contribute to the ongoing impact of HIV.

Seattle’s music scene showed up and showed out at Legendary AF, bringing together artists, producers, and creatives for a night of connection and culture. Held at Xanadu Studios, the event gave both rising and established talent a space to link up, collaborate, and celebrate the growing movement of PNW music.

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.

Seattle is gearing up to celebrate Black History Month in a big way with the "Call to Conscience" Black History Month Museum at the Columbia City Theater. Throughout February 2025, this immersive museum will showcase installations, exhibits, and activities that honor the  achievements and resilience of Seattle's Black community.

Besa Gordon pulled up to the Northwest Gumbo Competition to see firsthand how Chef Wally of Seattle Soulfood Kitchen and Chef Red of Come Eat Daddy brought the heat in this epic cookoff! From bold flavors to big ol’ chunks of crab and shrimp, the gumbo was a whole experience.

By Besa Gordon - It’s that time of year when we gear up for Seattle Sports Commissions, Sports Star of the Year Awards which is the biggest night in sports for Washington State. And although each year is a big deal, this year is a little different, as it’s their 90th anniversary.

Young Black Homeowners Third Annual Black Equity Ball takes place February 22 at 6pm, the groundbreaking event is set to make waves in the realm of black homeownership, the event will take place at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel and will be hosted by Converge Media’s Besa Gordon, host of Back2Besa on FOX 13 Seattle and FOX Soul.

The sixth annual Black-Owned Business Excellence Symposium will kick of Black History Month on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the McKinney Center for Community & Economic Development, 2120 S. Jackson Street, Seattle. at the McKinney Center for Community & Economic Development, 2120 S. Jackson Street, Seattle.

SEATTLE—Following the success of its recent concert presentation of Samson and Delilah, Seattle Opera presents this January a concert rendering of Hector Berlioz’s Les Troyens—an epic tale of fate, love, and betrayal that is as grand in scope as it is rarely performed. This special pair of performances marks the first time Les Troyens will appear on the Seattle Opera stage.

Hold onto your hats, because the iconic time-traveling DeLorean is about to land at the Paramount Theatre! That's right, the beloved movie classic, "Back to the Future," has been transformed into a spectacular Broadway musical, and it's coming to Seattle.

On November 29th, from 12pm to 2pm, come to Simply Soulful in the Central District of Seattle and join Besa Gordon for her Buy Black Brunch for an afternoon of good food and good company, all while supporting Black-owned businesses. The ticket comes with 2 mimosas plus and your choice of, Simply Breakfast, Shrimp & Grits, Chicken & Waffles, Bananas Foster Waffles or Strawberry Waffles, Catfish Dinner, or Chicken Dinner.

The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle held their annual breakfast on Friday, November 22nd, at the Seattle Convention Center. Actors and activists Hill Harper and Taraji P. Henson anchored the breakfast with a conversation ranging from social justice to mental health. Photos: Susan Fried

Winner of more than 100 international awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, WICKED has been performed in excess of 100 cities in 16 countries around the world (U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Germany, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, The Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland and China) and has thus far been translated into six languages: Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean and Portuguese. WICKED has been seen by more than 67 million people worldwide and has amassed in excess of $5.6 billion in global sales.

Leon Huggins-Richards, an actor known for his role as Mitchel in "Cry It Out" and Chilli/Jabber in "In The Blood," will be appearing on The Day With Trae Show. He will be discussing his upcoming role as Captain Richard Davenport in the Acts on Stage production of "A Soldier's Play," premiering on November 14th.

Stepping into the Shuga Shaq is like entering a pulsating haven of self-expression. The atmosphere is alive with the rhythm of good music and the sight of smiling faces adorned in a kaleidoscope of unique and expressive outfits. Attendees, liberated from societal constraints, engage in open and affectionate interactions. Whether it's through dancing, deep conversations, or simply basking in the collective energy, one thing for sure is that the Shuga Shaq is lit!