A solemn sense of community consumed the family and friends of Elijah L. Lewis as they gathered at the King County Superior Court House in downtown Seattle yesterday. The day marked the start of an extensive criminal trial nearly two years after Lewis was shot and killed, leaving the community that he so profoundly impacted deeply grieving his loss.

Hey everyone! Today was a super cool day. It marked the first day of our Support Black Business campaign, and I decided to put my money where my mouth is and try out a new spot I have never been. I'm always talking about supporting Black-owned businesses, but today I made a conscious effort to find one for lunch.

The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is currently accepting applications for the Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF). NMF is a granting program that consists of two funds—the Community Partnership Fund (CPF) and the Small Sparks Fund (SSF)—which support grassroots projects that build stronger communities.

The Small Business Workforce Accelerator Grant, funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Reinvestment Project, aims to promote equity for businesses in Seattle-King County, with a focus on those 51% or more owned and operated by individuals from Black, urban Indian/Tribal, and Latine communities.

The Seattle City Council has released a list of 20 qualified applicants for the District 2 vacancy left by Councilmember Tammy J. Morales' resignation. The applicants were required to submit a resume, cover letter, and financial interest statement form by January 9th.

The Mount Calvary Christian Center, a landmark in Seattle's Central District, is slated for demolition in early February. The property was purchased in June 2021 by Gardner Global and Partners, with plans to develop an eight-story mixed-income housing building.

Creamy Cone Cafe, a vibrant hub of joy and deliciousness in Rainier Beach, is facing a pivotal moment. Ashanti Mayfield, the heart and soul behind the beloved ice cream shop, recently opened up about her uncertainties in an Instagram post, leaving the community both concerned and eager to support.

Converge Media announces the launch of an urgent campaign to support Black-owned businesses struggling in the current economic climate. The 60-day initiative will leverage Converge Media's extensive media resources and community connections to raise awareness, drive foot traffic, and support Black businesses in need across Puget Sound.

After over 200 episodes in 2024, Trae Holiday is kicking off the third season of her show “The Day With Trae” more excited and inspired than ever. Season three is looking to bring a new level of informing, inspiring, and creating impact media for not just the Seattle community, but the world.

Besa Gordon appeared on Good Day Seattle with Erin Mayovsky on FOX 13 Seattle this morning to introduce viewers to WeRise Wines, a new wine bar and shop in downtown Seattle.  WeRise Wines is committed to inclusivity, highlighting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ winemakers from across the state and region.

Members of the Seattle Black Firefighters Association (SBFFA) gathered at the King County Superior Court House in Kent today hoping for a ruling on the Association's house they say was illegally sold. 

Get ready to tune in to a new era of radio as Besa Gordon, the dynamic media personality and host of Back2Besa, launches her internationally syndicated radio show, The Rewind With Besa, in Summer 2025!

Deb Tuggle, President of Bite Me Inc., has spread cookie love since 1995. Since acquiring Bite Me Inc. in 2004, Deb’s business acumen and passion for baking have grown Bite Me Cookies into a company that produces between 14,000 and 17,000 cookies an hour!

Get ready for the highly anticipated return of "Art of the Matter," the show by, for, and about artists! Hosted by the talented Takiyah "TDUB" Ward, Season Two is set to premiere this spring, promising even more captivating insights into the world of art and culture.

The Mixer powered by WKSocial, was hosted in Portland, Oregon at The Evergreen PDX on December 27. A sold-out that was filled with beneficial information to be obtained and shared as the audience had the chance to hear from Executive Directors, CEO’s, Musicians, Founders, Reality TV stars, Sports Marketers.

We are pleased to announce that Converge Media Co-Founder Erik Kalligraphy will be taking the helm as the head of our newly formed Music, Culture, & Lifestyle division and the Converge Music platform.

Covered a live R&B experience took place in Seattle’s very own Columbia City at Black and Tan Hall, Converge Media’s Deaunte Damper attended the event where he caught up with Teme Wokoma, owner of Sankofa Theater and Spirit of Ire Productions. An active advocate for showcasing Black art in Black spaces, Wakoma put on the event with extreme gratitude for Besa Gordon while honoring her late business partner Elijah Lewis.

As we look back at some of our favorite moments from Back2Besa in 2024, one standout interview was with professional tap dancer Pamela Yasutake. Pamela, who began tap dancing at the age of nine, has turned her lifelong passion into a thriving career, performing and teaching tap across the globe. Here’s a look at Pamela’s story, how she got started, and her dedication to keeping tap dancing alive for the next generation.

As we welcome a new year, many of us find ourselves thinking about what we want to achieve and the goals we want to set. But how can we ensure that the intentions we set are truly aligned with our purpose and are achievable in the long run? Qigong instructor Instructor Heru TchaasAmen joined The Day With Trae last January to share his insights on how to approach setting intentions in a way that will have a lasting, positive impact.

It was with mixed emotions I found myself standing amidst the remnants of another beloved Black-owned business, Jackson's Catfish Corner, as they closed their doors for the last time last Friday after 40 years in business. The weight of that loss still hung heavy in the air when I received a call from Marie Kidhe, delivering news that didn’t make things much better: La Familia Sports Bar in Des Moines was shutting down for good on Sunday.