Now, you know I love my crystals, right? Not too long ago, I learned about a Black Women-owned crystal and metaphorical shop in Capital Hill. As often as I’m in the Cap Hill area, I was honestly shocked to learn that it’s been there for three years, and I’m now just learning about it. When I finally stopped by, I was instantly greeted by calm energy, and I felt right at home and even left with some new crystals, candles, incense, bath salts, and more. After taking the items home and reflecting on how good I felt leaving the shop, I just knew I had to feature it on Back2Besa.

Facing The Reign is the story of Jessa Thomas, the inspiring 17-year-old cowgirl from Kittitas County, Washington, who is the reigning Miss Teen Rodeo Washington 2024 and the first African-American state title holder.

It was a day filled with empowerment for our youth at Intentions Juice and Smoothie Bar in Seattle as owner Marquita Evans, hosted a group of teenage girls from South Shore who are part of a program with Community Passage Ways, to show them how to make their own smoothies plus show them what it’s really like to own a business.

This thankful Thursday Trae Holiday hosted Nikkita Oliver on The Day with Trae, to talk about their work with Creative Justice. Oliver is the executive director of Creative Justice, an art space that aims to provide an engaging and healing space for youth and young adults.

Heru TchaasAmen returned for another enlightening segment of Mindfulness Monday on The Day With Trae. Joining host Trae Holiday, TchaasAmen talked about his recent accolade within the Ausar Auset Society, shared his vision for the community, and reflected on his connection to the legacy of the late community leader Elijah Lewis.

Innovative designer and artist Neal Sotelo joined Trae Holiday for a conversation about Sonics Was Taken, a cultural movement dedicated to reigniting the passion surrounding Seattle Sonics. The movement embodies the community's collective longing to reclaim its beloved team. Scheduled for April 20th, Sonics Was Taken will orchestrate an event celebrating the illustrious history of basketball in Seattle, offering various food, music, and communal spirit featuring a pop-up store. At the heart of this gathering will be a showcase of reimagined Sonics apparel and artwork, prominently featuring Sotelo's distinctive pixelated art style—an homage to his passion for video games.

Comedian and Federal Way-based community organizer Alison Fine was on The Day With Trae to talk with host Trae Holiday about the upcoming Federal Way community festival. Fine started comedy in late 2021, and created the Open Mic Collective PNW, a production collective that offers 12-14 mics and shows in South Puget Sound, along with her own production company. 

In their sixth match of the season, the Seattle Sounders FC finally tallied their first victory of the year as they used a 5-0 smashing of CF Montreal to get those two points. A brace from forward Raul Ruidiaz and individual goals from Jordan Morris, Alex Roldan, and Dylan Teves pushed the club to a big lead and Stefan Frei was steady in goal to help Seattle secure the clean sheet.

Barry Gayle, the multifaceted artist known as DJ TOPSPIN, alias BLENDIANA JONES, recently joined Trae Holiday on The Day With Trae to provide an update on his latest ventures in events and music. With an illustrious career spanning nearly 25 years, Gayle has been djing in the Northwest and globally, having performed in Europe, the Middle East, throughout Africa, and recently at Carnegie Hall.

Our cameras were there last weekend when N The Kutt Dance Studio in Des Moines, WA closed their doors for the last time.. Over the last two decades N The Kutt and it’s founder Koach T have been a staple in the greater Puget Sound community teaching dance to youth including our very own Besa Gordon and giving young people dance opportunities from across the region to around the world.

Photos: Marvin Patterson

Written by Besa Gordon - Lords Of The Floor This Saturday, Red Bull's Lords of the Floor is back in Seattle at WaMu for the first time in over 20 years, and it's been an honor to be one of their ambassadors for the event to make sure the whole city shows up and shows out! Earlier, I did my weekly appearance on Good Day Seattle with Erin Mayovsky, and not only did I give deets on what to expect at the event, but I also announced some of my contest winners and how to enter to win my remaining tickets!

Carlos Imani of the Elite Collective stopped by recently to talk with host Trae Holiday on The Day With Trae about his creative journey from selling prints as a side hustle to becoming Executive Producer of Elite Collective.

Watch Back2Besa on Saturday at 10:30pm on FOX 13 and Sunday at 10:00am on FOX 13+ to see the full story.

The Seattle Kraken NHL Hockey team recently honored Converge Media host Deaunte Damper as well as the Lavender Rights Project for their advocacy work in Seattle’s LGBTQ community. The Kraken also unveiled a specialty theme night jersey designed by artist Nikita Ares. The Kraken also recognized the Seattle Pride Hockey Association (SPHA).

Photos: Susan Fried

We all know that Besa Gordon loves to eat, and this week on Back2Besa, she heads to Old Burien to talk with Tony Hayes, owner of Classic Eats, about how he got into the restaurant business, how he comes up with his menu items and of course, Besa had to try some of the foods.

The Seattle Mariners were unable to take an early series win over the Cleveland Guardians, as starting pitcher Shane Bieber held the Mariners scoreless through six innings and the two runs that Seattle generated after he had left the ballgame weren't enough to overcome the deficit created by the Guardians.

Earlier this month, Bel Garcia and Mathew Bermudez of Drip Media attended Seattle Kraken’s Women in Hockey Night as the spotlight shined brightly on Allie Spurlock, a talented artist whose unique jersey design embodies the resilience and tenacity of women in sports and beyond.

Key to Change invites the public to its 7th annual Spring Salon Fundraiser at Benaroya Hall on April 7, 2024 from 2-4pm. The Spring Salon Fundraiser is an awards ceremony that features musical performances from students who participated in the Key to Change Solo String Festival. Additionally, Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange, Chancellor of the University of Washington Tacoma, will be recognized with the Community Achievement Award for her ongoing support for underserved students living in South King County. 

Back2Besa airs each Saturday at 10:30 pm on FOX 13 Seattle, but if you’re not able to watch FOX 13 Seattle on your TV, we have a few ways for you to tune in live anywhere in the nation with the free FOX Local App.

Keith G. Prez Asphy, the CEO of Presidential Transportation, made an appearance on The Day With Trae, shedding light on the evolution of his luxury transportation business. What began with a single vintage stretch limousine has since burgeoned into a fleet encompassing an array of limos, SUVs, Sprinters, party buses, and Charter Buses—a transformation that Asphy heralded as bringing more opportunity to his work.