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Support Black Business, Back2Besa Omari Salisbury Support Black Business, Back2Besa Omari Salisbury

Altha’s Louisiana Cajun Store: Bringing Authentic Southern Flavors and Community to Kent

#SupportBlackBusiness - Reginald Robinson founded Altha’s Louisiana Cajun Store, located in downtown Kent, in 2016 with a vision to bring authentic Southern products to the Seattle area. Naming the store after his mother, he aimed to create more than just a business; he wanted a "home away from home" for his customers.

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Support Black Business, Back2Besa Besa Gordon Support Black Business, Back2Besa Besa Gordon

Denkyem Co-op’s Third Thursdays Are More Than a Meetup—They’re a Movement

At Drum Roll Wine in Renton, Washington, something powerful happens every Third Thursday. Organized by Denkyem Co-op and led by CEO Dion Cook, these monthly gatherings are more than just networking events—they’re a space of healing, collaboration, and strategy for Black entrepreneurs and community leaders.

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Back2Besa, Support Black Business Besa Gordon Back2Besa, Support Black Business Besa Gordon

From Healing to Juicing: How Rhonda Faison Turned Love Into a Business at Pike Place Market

Rhonda Faison didn’t plan to become a juice bar owner. In fact, she once dreamed of being a doctor. But life had other plans. After her brother became a quadriplegic, Rhonda—who had been working in emergency medicine—found herself questioning her career path. While caring for him, she started researching plant medicine as a way to help him feel better without the overload of prescriptions. That personal mission sparked something much bigger.

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Back2Besa, Support Black Business Besa Gordon Back2Besa, Support Black Business Besa Gordon

A Fresh Soul in Spokane: How Michael C. Brown is Feeding Futures and Building Community

In Spokane’s East Central neighborhood, Fresh Soul isn’t just serving Southern classics—it’s serving purpose. At the heart of it all is Michael C. Brown, founder of the Spokane Eastside Reunion Association and the visionary behind this powerful community hub. What looks like a cozy restaurant on the outside is actually a life-changing job training program for youth, complete with resume workshops, financial literacy, and a 99% job placement rate.

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Jazz Highlights Black-Owned Lender Denkyem Co-Op on Good Day Seattle

Yesterday morning, Jazz from Seattle returned to Good Day Seattle on FOX13 for a second week as she fills in for Besa Gordon, who is currently on leave. During the interview with host Erin Mayovsky, Jazz highlighted Denkyem Co-Op, a Black-led community development financial institution.

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Back2Besa, Support Black Business Omari Salisbury Back2Besa, Support Black Business Omari Salisbury

The Trap Lab: Building Community and Business Through Movement in Federal Way

Federal Way, Washington – In a space pulsating with music and energy, The Trap Lab stands out as more than just a fitness studio. Founded and operated by sisters Icea Pettigrew and Sharde Bullard, this Black women-owned business has cultivated a vibrant community, successfully blending fitness, culture, and empowerment into a thriving enterprise.

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Back2Besa, Support Black Business Omari Salisbury Back2Besa, Support Black Business Omari Salisbury

La'Keith Asphy and Presidential Transportation: Driving Community at the CD Art Walk

The Central District (CD) Art Walk in Seattle is a vibrant celebration of community, creativity, and connection. Every first Friday of the month, the neighborhood transforms into a hub of artistic expression, with local artists, vendors, and businesses opening their doors to the public. However, navigating the expansive CD can be challenging, which is where Presidential Transportation steps in, turning the art walk into an even more accessible and enjoyable experience.

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Support Black Business, Back2Besa Besa Gordon Support Black Business, Back2Besa Besa Gordon

Intentions Juice and Smoothie Bar: Besa Gordon’s South Tacoma Spotlight

By Besa Gordon - Hey friends! Have you been to Intentions Juice and Smoothie Bar yet? 👀 Located on South Tacoma Way near Edison Square, this Black-owned gem is all about sowing good intentions into every customer. You might remember seeing Marquita Evans and her shop featured on Back2Besa during our Support Black Business spotlight.

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Sweet Beginnings: PJ's Classic Homemade Ice Cream Brings Family Legacy and Black Joy to Seattle's Central District

Seattle, WA - In the Central District, a new business of sweetness has emerged with deep roots in family, tradition, and a whole lot of love. PJ's Classic Homemade Ice Cream and Bon Bons, a family business with origins dating back to 2011 in Los Angeles, has finally opened in Seattle, paying homage to their mother's hometown and bringing a unique ice cream experience to the community.

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Support Local, Eat Soulful: Besa Gordon Talks Lizzie Lou’s Too on Good Day Seattle

This week on Good Day Seattle, Besa Gordon returned with another powerful segment from her Support Black Business campaign, this time spotlighting Lizzie Lou’s Too—a hidden gem located inside Destination Harley-Davidson in Fife, Washington.

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Wellness Gaines Fitness: A Renton Gym Fosters Joy and Inclusion

#SupportBlackBusiness - Positivity and passion define Wellness Gaines Fitness, a Renton gym dedicated to bridging the gap between physical and mental health. Founded by owner and trainer Kyra Gaines in June 2022, the gym was built to be a safe, welcoming space where individuals from all backgrounds can feel seen, empowered, and inspired.

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Financial Struggles and Community Strength: The Story of Tacoma’s Intentions Juice Bar


#SupportBlackBusiness - South Tacoma Way is home to Intentions Juice and Smoothie Bar, a space that embodies community and vision, though it navigates significant financial hurdles. Founded by Marquita Evans in 2020, Intentions is a vital hub focused on health, wellness, and connection. However, maintaining this space requires constant effort due to ongoing financial challenges.

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Besa Gordon Shares Update on “Support Black Business” Campaign During Good Day Seattle Appearance

By - Besa Gordon: So yesterday morning, I did my weekly appearance on Good Day Seattle to give an update on something that’s been super close to my heart, the Support Black Business campaign Converge Media launched back in January with Back2Besa.

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Support Black Business Mead Gill Support Black Business Mead Gill

Emma’s BBQ: A South End Staple Pivots After Leaving Lumen Field

For grandmother and granddaughter Tess and Miceala Thomas, their livelihood is more than a barbeque joint; it’s an homage to the generations that came before them. 

With nearly 150-year-old recipes concocted by Tess’ late mother Emma Thomas, the two women have led the iconic Emma’s BBQ with love and laughter for eight years in Columbia City.

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Back2Besa, Support Black Business Besa Gordon Back2Besa, Support Black Business Besa Gordon

Streaming, Scoops, and Streetwear: A Pop-Up to Remember at ETC Tacoma

During ETC Tacoma’s highly anticipated Spring Line launch, the already swaggy atmosphere got a sweet surprise—literally. As part of Women’s History Month, Back2Besa and FOX 13 Seattle teamed up with Molly Moon’s for a surprise pop-up, offering free scoops of ice cream, including a special vegan cookies and cream flavor created by Back2Besa host Besa Gordon.

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Support Black Business Mead Gill Support Black Business Mead Gill

JWalk Entertainment: A Progressive Production Company Aims to Take Seattle by Storm

#SupportBlackBusiness - An empowering combination of Black storytelling and cutting-edge production technology defines the Seattle-based production company JWalk Entertainment. Featured in comic conventions and film festivals across the country, JWalk is fueled by the owner and founder TJ Walker and his boundless desire to serve youth.

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