Besa Gordon joined Good Day Seattle this morning for a Support Black Business uplift of Zara Jo Beauty Supply, a new beauty supply store in Seattle’s Central District owned by Jamal Wilson. After stopping by the storefront with Converge Media host Trae Holiday, Gordon shared that she left feeling joyful and represented. 

The news hit us at Converge Media like a gut punch: Mattice Hoyt, the resilient and utterly inspiring "unofficial mayor of Tacoma," has left us. At just 39 years old, Mattice’s passing leaves a hole in the heart of Tacoma and in the hearts of all of us who had the privilege of knowing her. We are heartbroken, but we also find ourselves reflecting on the profound impact she had, not just on her community, but on each of us at Converge Media, Besa Gordon, and the entire Back2Besa family. (Read more here)

In the first episode of Chef Trey Lamont’s new series Food With Melanin, the owner of Jerk Shack Kitchen sat down for a compelling conversation at Fat’s Chicken and Waffles with Chef Erika White. In the first installment of the series airing in 2026, the two owners talked about White’s career as a Southern soul food chef, the establishment of Fats Chicken and Waffles in Seattle's Central District, and the importance of community in running a restaurant.

Chef Wally, the owner of Wally's Northwest Soul, opened the doors to his new storefront last month in Seattle’s Central District. After a decade and a half of serving the community through selling plates, catering, and pop-up spots, the chef described his new brick-and-mortar location as a return home, celebrating the monumental achievement with the community that has deeply influenced him.

This week on Good Day Seattle, Back2Besa host Besa Gordon brought a little sweetness to the set for her birthday episode with custom cupcakes from Sweetpea’s Cakes.

WeRise Wine, a Seattle wine bar dedicated to promoting diversity and representation in the wine industry, celebrated the one-year anniversary of its wine club with a Pour and Explore event last month. The celebration, held at the bar’s Downtown Seattle location, not only commemorated the milestone but also introduced its new private-label wine to its loyal community.

When Besa Gordon filmed her behind-the-scenes for this week’s episode of Back2Besa, celebrating her birthday, one familiar face made the day even more special — makeup artist Teme Wokoma, owner of LXD Beauty. For Besa and Teme, the shoot wasn’t just another day on set; it was a reunion of two friends who’ve shared a journey from their high school dance team, Kutt’N’Up, to working side-by-side in professional media.

SpoonFed Training recently passed a monumental milestone, celebrating its 10-year anniversary with the grand opening of a new gym in Tukwila. This event signified a new chapter for the fitness center after outgrowing its previous location, and brought together SpoonFed’s dedicated community, who shared their love and appreciation for the organization's profound impact on the Black community.

By Besa Gordon - Did you miss my girl Chef Lynn’s Golden Juicy Crab Boil? Well, clearly I didn’t, because your girl was eating good! So let me tell you how it all went down — and yes, how I was eating like I hadn’t been fed all week.

Island Soul Rum Bar & Soul Shack, a beloved family-owned Caribbean soul food restaurant known for their signature oxtail stew and rich gumbo, is fighting to keep their doors open in Seattle’s Columbia City. 

In a recent interview on “The Day With Trae,” BP Parker, the visionary behind the Love is Dope clothing brand, shared insights into his creative journey and the powerful message he aims to spread. More than just fashion, "Love is Dope" is a lifestyle, deeply rooted in Parker's personal experiences and commitment to uplifting his community.

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 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.

Peace Peloton’s upcoming Harmony Hustle Pitch Competition, an annual fundraiser where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas for a chance to win $10,000, is right around the corner. The deadline for applications is October 25, with the final Harmony Hustle pitch event on November 7 at Porter in downtown Seattle.

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. 

Did somebody say Ezell’s Chicken is throwing back prices to $3.99 and releasing fresh new merch? Lewis Rudd, CEO of the iconic chicken shop, stopped by the Almost The Weekend set yesterday to share the news with Curtis and Besa about his promo celebrating their new partnership with Redbird Farms, which includes any two bone-in pieces and a roll for just $3.99 until September 30th.

Seattle, WA (September 16, 2025) – The Rudd’s Raising Up Black Businesses (R.U.B.B.) Initiative has announced the return of its fourth annual leadership conference, scheduled for Saturday, October 4th, 2025, at the University of Washington Seattle campus.

Seattle, WA – The inaugural Enterprise Nexus event, a collaborative effort by WorkSource Seattle King County and the Seattle Public Library, brought together a diverse group of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and resource organizations last week. The event, held at the North Seattle WorkSource offices, aimed to provide vital support and connections for Black entrepreneurs and small business owners in the region.

On the latest episode of Almost The Weekend, hosts Besa Gordon and Curtis Delgado welcomed a special guest who sweetened the studio in more ways than one—Ashanti Mayfield, owner of Creamy Cone Café. Known for her unforgettable flavors and warm community presence, Mayfield came through with a full sundae bar, proving why Creamy Cone has become a local favorite over the past four years.

By Besa Gordon - Did you miss the Wing & Soul Food Competition that went down at Supernova? Well I didn’t and let me tell you—it was a whole taste test adventure.