We’re dedicated to continuing our work but we can’t do it alone. Please consider supporting our mission to cover critical issues in the Pacific Northwest from the street level.

BLOG
Chelsea Riddick-Most and the King County Clinic: A Decade of Community Healthcare
Seattle Center holds a special place in the hearts of many locals. From childhood memories of rides and festivals to witnessing up-and-coming artists, it's a hub of community and culture. This year, Seattle Center is once again hosting a vital event that embodies the spirit of community service: the King County Clinic. Chelsea Riddick-Most shared valuable insights into this incredible initiative in a recent interview with TraeAnna Holiday on The Day With Trae.
Healing, History, and Hustle: This Week on Back2Besa
Get ready for an inspiring and vibrant episode of Back2Besa! Host Besa Gordon has been on the move, traversing the Pacific Northwest to bring viewers a collection of powerful Black stories and community highlights. This week's episode promises to be a rich tapestry of experiences, showcasing resilience, celebration, and connection.
A New Chapter Begins: Rainier Beach High School Unveils Its State-of-the-Art Facility
Monday marked a momentous occasion for Rainier Beach High School as students returned from spring break to a brand-new building, a culmination of years of community effort and anticipation. The atmosphere was electric with excitement and a sense of pride as students, staff, and community members stepped into the modern facility.
Shaping the Future of Rail in Washington State: Public Input Sought
Washington State is experiencing rapid growth, and with that growth comes an increased need for efficient and sustainable transportation. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is taking proactive steps to address these needs by updating the State Rail Plan. As part of this update, WSDOT is seeking public feedback to ensure the future of rail in the state reflects the needs and desires of its residents.
Aries Season Went All the Way Up at Shake Bar Portland
What started over a decade ago as a birthday bash has grown into something way bigger: a cultural celebration that pulls folks from Cali to Canada—and even the East Coast—all to turn up with the Northwest. This year’s party brought out a crowd that came to dance, connect, and celebrate with style.
Golden at Falls Theatre
Commissioned by ACT Theatre and first seen as a staged reading at ACT’s inaugural New Works Northwest Festival in 2023, Golden is set after the Great Recession of 2008. Morris Golden, fighting to save his laundromat, finds an unexpected source of hope in a broken change machine with mysterious powers.
Deaunte Damper’s ‘We Live In Color’ Enters its Third Season
With immense pride and passion, Deaunte Damper is kicking off the third season of his show “We Live In Color” on Thursday, April 17. The new season will highlight incredible authors, activists, and leaders of the Black LGBTQ+ community with a focus on policy, justice, and access.
Ed Ewing: Pedaling Towards Equity and Community at Bike Works
Ed Ewing's journey with biking is more than just a story of wheels and roads; it's a narrative deeply intertwined with community, social justice, and a lifelong passion ignited in childhood. Growing up in Minneapolis, Ewing's early experiences with biking around the city's lakes were formative. "I remember learning balance on my first bike, hitting every trash can in the alley," he fondly recalls. These weren't just playful moments but the beginnings of a lifelong connection to cycling, a connection that would later shape his career and mission.
Emma’s BBQ: A South End Staple Pivots After Leaving Lumen Field
For grandmother and granddaughter Tess and Miceala Thomas, their livelihood is more than a barbeque joint; it’s an homage to the generations that came before them.
With nearly 150-year-old recipes concocted by Tess’ late mother Emma Thomas, the two women have led the iconic Emma’s BBQ with love and laughter for eight years in Columbia City.
Kendra Liddell: The Heart of Community Engagement in Seattle's Central District
Kendra Liddell, the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Central District Community Preservation and Development Authority (CDCPDA), is a name synonymous with service and dedication in Seattle's Central District. In a recent conversation with Trae Holiday, Liddell shared her journey from a passionate volunteer to a pivotal figure in community development.
Jesse Johnson's Personal Mission: Empowering Students Through Skilled Trades
In a society often focused on traditional college pathways, Federal Way High School in Washington state is carving a unique route for its students, one that leads directly to fulfilling and lucrative careers in the trades. Former State Representative Jesse Johnson, a community organizer and educator, is at the forefront of this initiative, emphasizing the importance of hands-on skills and mentorship for young people.
Katie Wilson's Mayoral Bid: Housing at the Forefront of Seattle's Future
Katie Wilson, a long-time community organizer, has set her sights on the Seattle mayor's office, with a campaign heavily focused on addressing the city's pressing housing crisis. In a recent interview, Wilson outlined her vision, detailing how her years of grassroots activism have shaped her platform and her desire to bring a community-centric approach to city leadership.
Tonight's the Night: Vitamin D and Roc Phizzle Face Off in Epic Dilla vs. Q-Tip Tribute at The Royal Room
Get ready, Seattle! Tonight, Saturday, April 12th at The Royal Room, music history comes alive as Vitamin D and Roc Phizzle go head-to-head in a tribute battle honoring the legendary producers J Dilla and Q-Tip. Doors open at 8 PM.
Trae Holiday Celebrates Emmy Nomination for "The Day With Trae" Intro!
Exciting news from "The Day With Trae" show! Trae Holiday has earned an Emmy nomination for the show's intro, and the excitement is real. Trae shared her joy and gratitude in a call this morning for this incredible achievement.
From Synagogue to Soul: The Story of Langston Hughes this week on Back2Besa on FOX SOUL
This week on Back2Besa FOX SOUL, host Besa Gordon takes viewers on a deep dive into the heart of Seattle's Black culture at the historic Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center. From its origins as a synagogue in 1915 to its transformation into a community hub in the 1970s, Langston Hughes has stood as a beacon of creativity, resilience, and celebration in the Central District.
Besa Gordon Highlights the Northwest Credible Messenger Barber & Beauty Shop Project on Good Day Seattle
Earlier today, Besa Gordon made her weekly stop by Good Day Seattle and caught up with Erin Mayovsky. This week, she shined a spotlight on a project that’s transforming local communities: the Northwest Credible Messenger’s Barber & Beauty Shop Behavioral Health Project in partnership with the Community Reinvestment Project and the Washington State Department of Commerce.
#TBT: Poet Chelsey Richardson’s “Still Golden” in the Black Media Matters Studio
In October of 2021, Converge Media commissioned Seattle-based Poet & Author Chelsey Richardson to compose a spoken word piece to commemorate the launch of our Black Media Matters Studio in downtown Seattle and specifically to uplift our iconic interview wall, which was curated by the Black Heritage Society of Washington State and designed by Creative Lou.
"Architects of Equity": Ada Developers Academy's Role in Shaping the Future of AI in Seattle
Seattle's historic Pier 70 buzzed with excitement on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, as the city officially launched the AI House, a groundbreaking public-private partnership aimed at solidifying Seattle's position as the AI Hub of the United States. The initiative brings together the City of Seattle, AI2 (Allen Institute for AI), Ada Developers Academy, and the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Honoring Legacy, Uplifting the Future: A Look Inside the Trailblazing Black Women Brunch
On March 30, 2025, the Northwest African American Museum in Seattle’s Central District was filled with joy, reverence, and celebration as the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle Guild hosted its first annual Trailblazing Black Women in Washington State brunch.
Seattle's Art Scene Explodes with "TF9: Now + Later" Showcase
SEATTLE, WA—Last month, AXIS Pioneer Square was transformed into a vibrant hub of artistic expression when The Feels Foundation presented its ninth annual art showcase, "TF9: Now + Later," on March 22, 2025. The event drew a diverse crowd eager to explore the themes of identity, self-discovery, and transformation through various artistic mediums.