Join guest host TraeAnna Holiday this weekend as she takes the helm of Back2Besa from Deaunte Damper, as she explores the vibrant tapestry of Black culture and community in the Pacific Northwest. This episode is packed with inspiring stories and insightful conversations, including:

Ann Gaston Polite, renowned fashion designer and creator of Gaston Gear, recently appeared on The Day With Trae to discuss her fashion journey, design inspirations, and latest creations.

In a recent interview on The Day With Trae, Keith Tucker, founder of Hip Hop is Green, discussed his organization's mission to promote health and wellness as the tenth element of hip-hop. Tucker, a long-time activist and hip-hop enthusiast, was inspired to found Hip Hop is Green after learning about the negative impacts of chemicals in the food system on Black and Brown communities.

Recently on The Day with Trae, host Trae Holiday sits with Dr. Sonya Walker, Senior Program Executive at YMCA of Greater Seattle. Walker came on the show to share information on water safety and swim equity.

Recently host Trae Holiday was joined by Alaia D’Alessandro on The Day with Trae. D’Alessandro is the head of production at Converge Media, as well as a member of the band Little Venom. She came on the show to talk about her experiences in music production, and the importance of troubleshooting and adapting to different environments. 

In a recent interview with Trae Holiday on The Day With Trae Anthony and Marlie Love, hosts of the popular YouTube channel "Traveling While Black," shared their experiences and insights from their recent road trip across America.

The Day with Trae recently featured an interview with Jeneva Marie, discussing her innovative approach to dealing with grief. Marie, who recently lost her grandmother to breast cancer, turned her personal experience into a seven-part series titled "Moving Through Collective Grief."

Recent high school graduate and Converge Media production intern Chukundi Salisbury Jr. appeared on "The Day with Trae" to discuss his acceptance to Howard University and his aspirations for the future. Salisbury, who will attend Howard in the fall, expressed his excitement about becoming a "baby bison" and shared his experiences visiting the campus and participating in freshman orientation events.

Marshall Hugh, the creative force behind Seattle's Fremont Fridays, recently appeared on The Day with Trae to discuss the origins and evolution of what is rapidly becoming a beloved Seattle music and art summer series.

Deaunte Damper, the charismatic host of "We Live In Color" on Converge Media, has been a fantastic guest host on "Back2Besa" while Besa Gordon takes a well-deserved break. Damper has described his time on the show as "one of the best experiences of my life," and his passion for sharing uplifting stories from the community has shone through in every episode.

Recently on The Day with Trae, Jarvis Henderson stopped by to discuss RVLA's Summer Program, After School Program (Fall), and Kindergarten enrollment (Fall) with host Trae Holiday. Henderson, serving as the After School Program Coordinator at Rainier Valley Leadership Academy, shared insights into these educational initiatives.

Recently on The Day with Trae, Idris Goodwin, Writer and Artistic Director at Seattle Children's Theatre, joined host Trae Holiday to discuss his new children's picture book, "Your House Is Not Just A House," as well as his role at Seattle Children's Theatre and his vision for the future of intergenerational storytelling. Goodwin, an award-winning interdisciplinary writer with expertise in stage, audio, screen, and literature, shared insights into his creative endeavors.

Recently on The Day with Trae, host Trae Holiday spoke with Chardonnay Beaver, a multimedia storyteller and author. Beaver came on the show to talk about her upcoming screening for her documentary "Fulfill The Promise: The Rise. The Fall. The Promise." at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. The event is on Saturday, July 20th, 2024, from 2 pm to 5 pm, and will also include a singing for Beaver's newest book, "Words of Wisdom: A Compilation of Life Principles, Inspired by Truth & Guided by Purpose Vol. 1.”

Luv-A-Latte Espresso founder Aundrea McCarthy joined Besa Gordon on The Day With Trae to discuss her journey as an entrepreneur, the significance of running her community-focused coffee shop, and her exciting future plans for the business.

In this segment of The Day With Trae, guest host Besa Gordon fills in for Trae Holiday to interview Jazmin Elon, the founder and visionary behind Blk Sunflower. An entrepreneur and educator, Elon established her company based on candle making. Since then, she has turned her experiences as a budding business owner and candle maker to leading the BLK Sunflower Business Collective, a thriving community of over 800 entrepreneurs she helps grow and succeed.

Matt Farmer, co-founder of DEFY Wrestling, recently stopped by The Day With Trae with Besa Gordon filling in for Trae Holiday as host of this episode. In this segment, Farmer discussed DEFY Wrestling, how the Seattle-based independent wrestling circuit has become a hub for many emerging talents, and what the organization currently has in the works.

Brad Finegood recently stopped by The Day With Trae, hosted this week by Besa Gordon, to discuss overdose prevention. Finegood is a strategic advisor for King County and leads the overdose prevention efforts for Public Health, leveraging his extensive experience in the field.

Finegood began by acknowledging the significant changes in recent years, noting the convergence of the pandemic and a shifting drug supply around 2019-2020. He observed a dramatic rise in synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl. 

In this episode of "The Day With Trae," Back2Besa's very own Besa Gordon fills in for Trae to sit down with Jaebadiah S. Gardner, the founder and CEO of GardnerGlobal. In his conversation with Gordon, Gardner delves into various topics beyond his professional achievements, highlighting the importance of side hustles, effective money management for success, and investing in yourself first.

Recently on The Day with Trae, Jerrell Davis, known creatively as Rell Be Free, stopped by to discuss his upcoming music releases and ventures in film with host Trae Holiday. Davis is a multifaceted artist and community organizer based in Seattle's South End. He shared insights into his artistic journey, upcoming shows, and his commitment to supporting emerging artists and community initiatives through his music and performances.

Recently on The Day With Trae, Fancy Vargas, CEO and Creative Director of Elevate PR Management, joined host Trae Holiday to discuss her latest initiative, the Bellevue Art Museum gift shop. Vargas curates art that reflects diverse voices and experiences in the gift shop.