While in Seattle, not only did Bay Area rapper Kamaiyah perform at a sold-out show (at Nectar Lounge), but she also stopped by the Black Media Matters studio for an interview with Besa Gordon. They talked about everything from new music to Kamaiyah's return to the Bay Area.

In honor of Women's History Month, Alesha Washington, President and CEO of the Seattle Foundation, joined host Trae Holiday on The Day With Trae's "Winning Women's Wednesday." Established in 1946, The Seattle Foundation is one of the largest community foundations in the United States. With an extensive range of work, from connecting donors with nonprofits and community organizations to supplying grants to address various social and economic issues in the Pacific Northwest, the foundation is focused on providing equitable opportunities in Seattle. 

Amidst today's daunting challenges, RiseAbove shines as a beacon of hope for Native American youth. At a recent event in Olympia's Nisqually Youth Center, former NBA player Chris Herren shared his journey of overcoming addiction to inspire a different path. Joined by notable figures like Governor Jay Inslee and Sonics legends Lenny Wilkens and George Karl, RiseAbove founder Jaci McCormick showcased the organization's mission: to provide youths with tools for personal development through sports and mentorship. With over 1,300 youths served nationwide in January alone, RiseAbove's commitment to reshaping the narrative for Native youth is undeniable.

The Feels Foundation held its annual art showcase, Still In Our Feels, at AXIS Pioneer Square to celebrate culturally diverse emerging artists from the Greater Seattle Area and beyond. In its 8th year, the showcase left our very own Besa Gordon, host of Back2Besa, in awe of the talent displayed all over the space.

In commemorating Women's History Month, Karissa Braxton, the Senior Communications Director at the Seattle Office of the Mayor, joined Trae Holiday on The Day With Trae's "Winning Women's Wednesday." Their discussion ranged from Braxton's illustrious career in communications within Seattle politics to her advice for young women aspiring to leadership roles. Delving into the segment, Braxton explained the driving force behind her career journey since graduating from Howard University in 2014.

The Seattle Reign FC drew a penalty just 12 seconds as Jordyn Huitema was fouled and Bethany Balcer buried it for the matches lone goal, as Seattle played strong defensively throughout to blank the Washington Spirit and begin the year with three points.

The Seattle Sounders FC were looking to get their winning and Sunday scoring mojo moving early into this years MLS campaign, and it appeared that was going to take place with Raul Ruidiaz's 11th minute penalty. Despite that, the second half saw things take a turn for the worse and Seattle ended up splitting points again.

This Tuesday, Marcus Harrison Green, the founder of the South Seattle Emerald, sat down on The Day With Trae with host Trae Holiday to discuss the mission of Hinton Publishing, a publishing house Green established in August of last year. Hinton Publishing aims to act as a beacon of inclusivity and equity in the literary landscape, focusing on elevating and recognizing works from authors from underrepresented communities. A personal odyssey for Green, Hinton is a tribute to his grandfather, after whom the company was named, who had his own written work stolen and was never recognized in his time. 

The Iconic Sonics podcast and Converge Media recently teamed up for a special City Edition episode featuring Sonics legend and NBA Head Coach Nate McMillan. Hosted by Converge Media Co-Founder Omari Salisbury, the episode was taped inside Converge’s Black Media Matters Studio.

In a world where hate seems to be on the rise, it becomes increasingly vital to address and combat it head-on. Recently, the Black Heritage Society of Washington State, the Wing Luke Museum, and the Washington State Jewish Historical Society joined forces for an event at the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) called "Confronting Hate Together."

Alicia Crank, Executive Director at the Seattle CityClub, joined Trae Holiday on The Day With Trae this Monday to discuss her work in the organization, upcoming initiatives, work in the Seattle Sports Commission, and role as a community leader. Seattle CityClub, founded over 40 years ago by eight Seattle women spurred into action by the exclusionary practices of men's-only rotary clubs, promotes civic engagement, civil discourse, and the annual tradition of hosting public debates, all aimed at empowering King County residents to actively participate in shaping their communities. 

Last weekend, the Bay Area's very own Kamaiyah, joined by Los Angeles rapper Cuhdeejah, ignited the stage at Nectar Lounge in Fremont, delivering an electrifying performance that left an indelible mark on the city. With tickets sold out, the venue was buzzing with anticipation as concert-goers poured in, eager to immerse themselves in the vibrant energy of the evening.

For a decade now, the Northwest has been graced by the dazzling spectacle of the Reign of Style Hair Show and competition. This annual extravaganza, now in its 10th year, was born from the visionary mind of Aisha Ellis-Asim. Recognizing a void in the region's hair show scene, Aisha set out to fill it, thus giving birth to Reign Competitions NW. The mission was clear: provide a platform for hairstylists, beauticians, makeup artists, cosmetology students, and fashion designers from Seattle, Tacoma, and surrounding areas to showcase their talents, creativity, and passion for hair, beauty, and fashion.

Join Besa Gordon as she engages in a candid discussion with renowned love and relationships coach, and author of The Love Lies, Debrena Jackson-Gandy, delving into the intricate dynamics of modern-day relationships in "The State Of The Union." In this enlightening interview, Debrena unravels the complexities behind the breakdown of marriages and relationships, dissecting the impact of dating apps on communication and connection in budding romances. Explore strategies to reignite passion and foster open communication within relationships, alongside insights on what truly defines a "good date" and much more. Tune in for an insightful exploration into the ever-evolving landscape of love and intimacy.

Our current Seattle Civic Poet, Shin Yu Pai, is beginning the final cycle of her two-year commission with a multi-site public poetry installation (6MB slide deck) for National Poetry Month in April. Last year, Pai invited public input on identifying and prioritizing the campaign’s theme. What emerged was a call for short poems on Seattle places relating to sustainability. She received 51 submissions from poets and selected five individuals for inclusion in the project.

Seattle got a dose of heat last Saturday when Bad Bunny pulled up to Climate Pledge Arena as part of his Most Wanted world tour. The show was electric, bringing the energy and vibes the global superstar is known for. From the moment the bass dropped to the final encore, the energy was off the charts, with Bad Bunny performing hit songs like ‘Me Porto Bonito’ ‘MONACO’, and ‘Ojitos Lindos’.

Dr. Orisade Awodola, the president of the Institute of African Centered Thought (IACT), joined host Trae Holiday on the Day With Trae last week to discuss her upcoming African Centered Healing Conference and her new book, African Centered Ancestral Healing.

Written by - Besa Gordon: If there's one thing you know about me, it's that I'm always on the lookout for exciting events with a vibe that everyone can enjoy. So, when I received an invitation to Vibe Bingo in Federal Way, I couldn't resist checking it out. Now, I know what you might be thinking - Bingo? That's something my Gran Gran does! But wait, let me tell you - this isn't your ordinary bingo night. This is VIBE. Bingo.

On March 7th the Seattle Opera in partnership with the King County Library System and NAAM presented A Conversation With Ilyasah Shabazz. It was an inspiring evening with Ilyasah Shabazz, who is the daughter of civil rights icon Malcolm X, also known as Malik el-Shabazz. The conversation included reflection on the legacy of one of the most influential figures in history through the lens of his daughter’s unique perspective. 

#BeliveInGiving - On Saturday, A 4 Apple Learning Center in Seattle’s #CentralDistrict continued their tradition of giving and partnered up with QueenCare and Community Passageways for a coat and shoes giveaway on 23rd and Jackson. Over 200 coats and 200 pairs of shoes as well as books and clothing were handed out for free to community members. Giving back is nothing new for A 4 Apple. Back in November A 4 Apple and Gardner Global teamed up with Converge Media for aThanksgiving Meal Kit giveaway in Skyway and A 4 Apple has hosted several other giveaways including back-to-school and play shoes