Paula Sardinas, CEO and Chief Lobbyist at FMS Global Strategies, a Black Government Affairs firm, joins Cindi Bright this week to discuss the 2023 Legislative Session in Washington State. Her work focuses on empowerment and advocacy work with a laser focus on BIPOC girls impacted by intersectionality and structural racism.

The Seattle Kraken took game one of their Stanley Cup Playoff second round matchup against the Dallas Stars, fueled by a four-goal first period and an overtime game winner by forward Yanni Gourde. Seattle again collapsed when holding a two-goal lead, but they were able to remain focused and composed to get the winner in overtime.

This weekend, Softball Beyond Borders hosted its first workouts in its inaugural season in preparation for the 2023 Nike RBI West Regional Tournament that will take place in Seattle this July.  The Regional tournament will occur days after the Mid-Summer Classic (MLB All-Star Game) at T-Mobile Park. Softball Beyond Borders aims to increase access to BIPOC student-athletes across our region to expose them to instructional and competitive gameplay.   

“It’s so important to be in the life of young people,” legendary Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens said. “They’re the future. They’re tomorrows doctors and lawyers and politicians and we have to let them know that they make a difference and that they can achieve.”

I’m Built Different partnered with Rise Above to host a free yoga and basketball clinic for youth at the University of Washington’s Marv Harshman Gym featuring Wilkens and other guest coaches. The clinic was free and hosted by former NBA player and yoga instructor Bobby Jones.

Yesterday, artist Rodney King hosted the closing for his art showcase at Taswira, Seattle’s African Streetwear gallery. Since April 1st, King’s art had been displayed at the store. Pieces include homages to pop culture in King’s unique style, which he’s developed over his career.

Seattle is known for its vibrant arts scene and has been a hub for creativity and expression for years. From music to dance to theater, the city has been a breeding ground for artistic innovation. However, for the Black community, finding spaces to showcase art and culture has often been a challenge. That's where Sankofa Theater comes in - a unique grassroots space that has become a beacon for Black art and culture in Seattle.

In a thrilling game seven to decide the fate of their first ever Stanley Cup Playoff series, the Seattle Kraken pulled a win out in Colorado as goaltender Philipp Grubauer locked down the net and forward Oliver Bjorkstrand scored two huge goals in the second period. Seattle’s depth and resiliency showed out once again, and it sends them into the second round of the postseason.

In a critical game six with the opportunity to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Seattle Kraken were blown back by the Colorado Avalanche to force a game seven in the series. With their season on the line and their backs against the wall, the Avalanche took the fight to the Kraken to bring the series back to Colorado.

Doug Baldwin, Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett announced today the benefitting partners of their Champions of Change All-Star basketball game and gala. Two of the named organizations are well-established and respected in the Puget Sound region, and two will be introduced this year, addressing current voids in service and community. Each offer services based in dignity, with an understanding that basic needs are intrinsically linked. For this reason, low-barrier access and connected care are central to the operations of all four of the benefitting organizations.

With their first two selections in the 2023 NFL Draft (both in the first round), the Seattle Seahawks went for the best players available when they selected CB Devon Witherspoon out of Illinois and WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba out of Ohio State. CSS’ Charles Hamaker gave his immediate reaction to those selections.

KD Hall joined The Day With Trae to discuss her non-profit, the KD Hall Foundation, which is in danger of losing its funding. The proposed Operating Budgets in the Washington State House of Representatives and Senate could redirect funds away from Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER), which the KD Hall Foundation and 49 other organizations are part of. For Hall, the effects could be devastating as she says her foundation receives $100,000 per year from ESSER.

On the road again in Colorado, the Seattle Kraken marched into Ball Arena once again and stuck it to the defending champion Avalanche to take a 3-2 series lead as we now shift back to Seattle for a potential history-making game six. New father Morgan Geekie and AHL call up Tye Kartye got the scoring started for the Kraken, as Yanni Gourde’s tip in helped Seattle pull out a victory.

The Seattle Sounders returned to Starfire Stadium, once again for the US Open Cup, and were victorious as they survived a wild thriller against upstart San Diego Loyal in the round of 32. Sounders legend Fredy Montero continues to add to his legacy, bookending the match with the first and final goals of the game.

On 4/24, as the sun beamed down on Seattle, construction workers, city planners, media outlets, and more came down to the intersection of Lenora and Elliott Way to witness local officials, and tribal leaders unveil the new honorary street name of Dzidzilalich, which honors the long tribal history on the waterfront.

In game four of the round one Stanley Cup Playoffs matchup against the Colorado Avalanche, Jordan Eberle made more history for the franchise as his game winner secured the first ever overtime and home win in franchise playoff history. Seattle jumped out to a two goal lead in the first period before Mikko Rantanen scored twice in the second, setting us up for a dramatic finish.

Yesterday, I’m Built Different partnered with Rise Above to host a free yoga and basketball clinic for youth at the University of Washington’s Marv Harshman Gym featuring legendary Sonics coach Lenny Wilkens. The clinic was free and hosted by former NBA player and yoga instructor Bobby Jones.

On this episode of Rewind With Besa, Besa Gordon catches up with United States Attorney Nick Brown to talk about the fentanyl crisis happening around Washington State, how it is getting into our State, how children are getting their hands on it, along with some of the things his office is doing to combat this issue.

“We have been experiencing a shadow pandemic. Whether it’s rising mental illness, record-breaking overdoses, alarming levels of substance use disorders, or our high school students feeling unprecedented levels of depression and anxiety, this is an issue that we have to address with urgency.” - King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay.

To end their nine-game homestand, the Seattle Mariners dropped the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals but were able to get the series victory yesterday. Mariners starting pitcher Chris Flexen struggled in his start in the rotation spot of Robbie Ray, and the Seattle bats failed to click outside of the second inning.

Last night, the Kraken hosted their first home playoff game in franchise history. Despite losing 6-4 to the Colorado Avalanche, the atmosphere outside Climate Pledge Arena before the game was electric and our Besa Gordon and Bel Garcia were there to take it all in.