When Juneteenth rolls around, Seattle will once again feel the electric energy of community, creativity, and culture thanks to the Griot Party Experience. Hosted at the state-of-the-art Broadway Performance Theater, this free event is more than just a celebration—it's a full-on unity experience.

In a recent segment of The Love Lab with Debrena on Back2Besa, relationship coach Debrena Jackson Gandy dives deep into a concept many women are familiar with: “The List.” You know the one—tall, successful, attractive, ambitious. But according to Debrena, that list might be doing more harm than good.

Get ready, Back2Besa fans! This week, the incredibly talented Lex Scope is stepping in as guest host, filling in for Besa Gordon. Lex Scope, originally from North Carolina and now a 12-year Washington resident, is a multifaceted creative force: a cinematographer, producer, movie lover, and community curator.

Stationed on the main strip of South Tacoma Way, Goody Cutz Barber and Beauty, owned by Jahara Miller, brings local perspective with boundless aspirations to the Lakewood community. 

At Drum Roll Wine in Renton, Washington, something powerful happens every Third Thursday. Organized by Denkyem Co-op and led by CEO Dion Cook, these monthly gatherings are more than just networking events—they’re a space of healing, collaboration, and strategy for Black entrepreneurs and community leaders.

Deaunte Damper’s 40th birthday celebration at Acts on Stage in White Center  was a heartfelt event filled with love and appreciation from his community, including his "Converge family" and "BUILD 206 brothers."

Besa Gordon's powerful spoken word piece, recorded live at “Dear Sis” in Spokane, Washington, is a profound declaration of self-acceptance and personal empowerment. The poem confronts societal pressures and internalized criticism, challenging the narrative that individuals, particularly Black women, must conform to external expectations.

Blend Coffee and Kicks is revolutionizing the coffee scene with its unique hybrid concept, seamlessly blending coffee culture, sneaker enthusiasm, and a strong sense of local community in a way that's completely new to the North American market.

Rhonda Faison didn’t plan to become a juice bar owner. In fact, she once dreamed of being a doctor. But life had other plans. After her brother became a quadriplegic, Rhonda—who had been working in emergency medicine—found herself questioning her career path. While caring for him, she started researching plant medicine as a way to help him feel better without the overload of prescriptions. That personal mission sparked something much bigger.

In Spokane’s East Central neighborhood, Fresh Soul isn’t just serving Southern classics—it’s serving purpose. At the heart of it all is Michael C. Brown, founder of the Spokane Eastside Reunion Association and the visionary behind this powerful community hub. What looks like a cozy restaurant on the outside is actually a life-changing job training program for youth, complete with resume workshops, financial literacy, and a 99% job placement rate.

When you step into MUVA, nestled on the 3rd floor of Seattle’s Columbia Tower, you can feel the energy shift. It's not just an art space—it's a movement. Founded by Jonarra Swanson, MUVA was born from her own experiences as a single mother navigating the art world.

The South Sound was lit as rising star Akeem Ali brought his signature blend of smooth lyrics and vibrant stage presence to Jazzbones in Tacoma. Presented by the Innovative Change Makers (ICM), the event wasn’t just another night out—it was a celebration of community, connection, and pure joy.

Yesterday morning, Jazz from Seattle returned to Good Day Seattle on FOX13 for a second week as she fills in for Besa Gordon, who is currently on leave. During the interview with host Erin Mayovsky, Jazz highlighted Denkyem Co-Op, a Black-led community development financial institution.

Through the doors of a quant yellow storefront in Tacoma sits Mattice Hoyt, the owner and operator of Mattice Beauty Supply. Opened in 2020, Mattice Beauty Supply has filled an enormous gap in the Tacoma community as the only Black-owned beauty supply store in Tacoma.

If you're looking for the move this Memorial Day Weekend, look no further than Bellevue. PapaBlack DaVinci is hosting his first-ever All White Party on Sunday, May 25th at Mirra, and according to him—it’s going to be “some energy in Bellevue you don’t want to miss.”

When Back2Besa host Besa Gordon first saw Nick Wayne wrestle at DEFY, she didn’t expect it to reignite her love for wrestling. But the moment stuck. So when Nick came back to Seattle last May, sitting down with the AEW star was a no-brainer. At just 18 years old, Nick Wayne already has close to a decade in the ring.

Jazz from Seattle steps into the spotlight as the guest host for Episode 242 of Back2Besa this weekend, filling in while Besa Gordon enjoys a well-deserved break. This week’s episode is a vibrant tapestry of community engagement, entrepreneurial spirit, and personal celebration.

On Friday, May 16, Elijah L. Lewis’ killer, Patrick Cooney, received his official sentencing, totaling 35 years for second-degree murder and first-degree assault with a deadly firearm.  

Converge Media's Black Media Matters Studio recently served as an educational hub for a delegation of journalists and business professionals from the Balkans, as part of the Open World Balkans: Business Development program.

When 24kGoldn sat down with Besa Gordon at the Black Media Matters Studio, it felt like a full-circle moment—five years after their first interview, the chart-topping artist returned with new music, fresh insight, and a more grounded outlook on life and artistry.