The Lavender Rights Project's annual Black Trans Comedy Showcase, held at the Siff Cinema Egyptian on June 8th, was a resounding success. The event was more than just a night of laughter; it was a celebration of Black trans excellence, a powerful statement of resilience, and a testament to the unwavering spirit of the Black trans community.

Ground Zero Radio (GZR) was on the scene at Metier Brewing Company in Seattle to celebrate Black Music Month with a special live podcast interview featuring Black Stax, legends in the Seattle Hip Hop scene.

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.

The Seattle Human Services Department announced the return of its Summer Food Service Program, starting July 1st. This vital program, also known as the Summer Meals Program, will be available at 70 locations throughout the city, including 13 in District 3. It ensures that children and teenagers aged 1-18 can access nutritious meals during summer.

YOUniversal FIT Studio, with the support of a $10,000 grant from the Tacoma Black Fund, is launching "Men Uplift," a groundbreaking program dedicated to the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of Black men. This initiative is spearheaded by Mike Ford, whose personal journey from emotional abuser to advocate has inspired this critical program.

Seattle Theatre Group’s Elevate is a transformative annual program, now four years in the making, that empowers young artists to find their voice and express themselves through spoken word. Each year, Elevate provides a platform for talented young performers to showcase their skills, share their stories, and connect with their community. Converge Media has been a proud partner of STG Elevate since its inception, and Back2Besa is honored to continue this tradition of uplifting youth voices.

We recently caught up with Portland's own Hip-Hop legend, Cool Nutz, a true force in the music scene.l Cool Nutz has been making waves since his early days. Cool Nutz's journey began in the underground, where he honed his skills in basement studios and local venues. His unique sound and unwavering passion quickly gained recognition, propelling him from the local scene to international stages. He has toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia, spreading his music and representing Portland with pride.

Coming straight out of Portland, the soulful singer-songwriter and musician inspired by jazz vocals and introspective lyrics, Julia Logue is a jack of all trades. She plays guitar which helps draw the elements of alternative, neo-soul, R&B, and jazz music that all complent her vocals fluently. 

The Seattle Storm win the season series over the Chicago Sky with an 84-71 victory on Sunday, taking the second game against them over the span of three-days. Although Chicago was able to push Seattle in the first half, the Storm pulled away in the latter half and got a satisfying Sunday afternoon win.

Spokane's Juneteenth celebration honored Black history and culture, highlighted by the Pillar Awards, music, and inspiring speeches, emphasizing unity and progress. The event also reflected on the city's rich Black history, including James Chase's landmark election as Spokane's first Black mayor.

Besa Gordon visited Eighth Generation, a Seattle-based art and lifestyle brand owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe and located on 1st Avenue downtown. Founded in 2008 by artist and activist Louie Gong (Nooksack), Eighth Generation is the first Native-owned company to produce wool blankets.

Seattle Mariners centerfielder Julio Rodríguez left the teams Saturday, July 6th, 2024 ballgame with right quad tightness before the game could even complete a full inning. The Mariners star outfielder will be undergoing an MRI to determine the severity of what the injury could be as well as what to distinguish the actual injury as.

Deaunte Damper, the guest host of Back2Besa, joined Erin Mayovsky on Good Day Seattle earlier this week to recap some of his experiences during Seattle Pride Month 2024. Deaunte, a dedicated and well-respected leader in the LGBTQ+ community, shared his enthusiasm for the vibrant celebrations that took place throughout the city.

Seattle's First Hill neighborhood is home to a hidden culinary gem that transports diners to the vibrant flavors of West Africa. Gold Coast Ghal Kitchen, the brainchild of Liberian-American Chef Tina Fahnbulleh, is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of the region.

With her upcoming record, The Revenge, set to release this Sunday, Seattle-based musician and performer TeZATalks is approaching a significant milestone she has been working towards since her musical beginnings. Known for her unique "Hardcore pop" style—a fusion of nu-metal, punk, and electro-pop that has captivated millions of fans—TeZA is offering a preview of her debut album, Black Girl American Horror Story, a discography of work anticipated to be her most authentic and compelling to date.

Just ahead of the final day of Seattle Kraken development camp, general manager Ron Francis announced that the team had signed 2024 1st round pick Berkly Catton to his entry level contract.

Seattle's vibrant film scene came together last month as Scope Screenings, the city's leading platform for short films, hosted its latest event. Founded in 2022 by Lex Scope, the festival has quickly become a beloved hub for showcasing exceptional short films, music videos, and short-form content.

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. 

Chardonnay Beaver to host a documentary screening and book signing on January 20th at Seattle’s iconic Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

The WOW Gallery was filled with joy and laughter on Juneteenth as Black women from all walks of life came together for a special brunch celebration. The event, organized by Veronica Very, founder of Wonder of Women, was a day of remembrance, empowerment, and sisterhood.