Get ready, Seattle! This week, we're thrilled to announce that our very own Jazz from Seattle is stepping into the national spotlight as she guest hosts Back2Besa on FOX SOUL. While Besa Gordon is on leave, Jazz is taking the reins, bringing her unique voice and perspective to a national audience – a massive leap for this talent from the Central District.

By Besa Gordon - Whew, can we chat for a moment? On this day, I stopped by Good Day Seattle for the first time in over a month since taking my break from Back2Besa. Topic? Juneteenth Events. Speaking of Juneteenth, shoutout to everyone I met, you truly allowed me to leave the festival with my heart full.

Here is King County Equity Now’s Juneteenth Celebration at Jimi Hendrix Park in Seattle, Washington through the lens of photographer Susan Fried.

Six days a week sits Jamal Wilson, the owner and founder of Zara Jo Beauty Supply, in his new storefront on Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Opened on May 10 of this year, the vibrant Central District storefront provides beauty products and services for the Black community that were otherwise scarce. 

Seattle’s weekend scene just got a fresh new vibe with the launch of Almost the Weekend, hosted by media personality Besa Gordon and community connector Curtis Delgardo II, aka Cuddy. In the very first episode, the dynamic duo sets the tone with infectious energy, witty banter, and a curated list of Juneteenth events that stretch from Seattle to Portland and beyond.

By Besa Gordon - If you're looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Juneteenth this year, Kent is the place to be. On Saturday, June 21st, two powerful community events will be happening side by side at Morrill Meadows Park, and both are free, family-friendly, and centered on Black excellence, health, and history.

Seattle, WA – June 13, 2025, will be remembered as a landmark day for King County, which hosted its first-ever Summit on Crime Survivors at the Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture. The event convened a broad spectrum of individuals—survivors of violent crime, families of victims, elected officials, law enforcement, victim advocates, community organizations, and mental health experts—to confront the profound impact of crime and the urgent need for robust community support.

The Columbia City Beatwalk recently lit up the Rainier Valley with its annual Pride edition—an uplifting celebration of music, identity, and community. With live performances, vibrant local vendors, and an undeniable sense of joy, the event brought people of all backgrounds together for an unforgettable afternoon in South Seattle.

At Seattle Center’s M5 Creative Studios, a powerhouse collaboration unfolded between Glazers Camera, Elite Collective, and Converge Media—bringing together seasoned media professionals and rising creatives for a day of hands-on training, storytelling, and community-building.

This week’s Back2Besa segment on Good Day Seattle on FOX 13 took a powerful turn as guest host Tavis Conway stepped in to highlight a story rooted in heartbreak, hope, and community resilience. The interview centered on the life and legacy of Jaden Joannes, a graduate of Seattle’s Interagency Recovery High School who tragically passed away due to an overdose.

The annual Pioneer Square Fest is returning Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6 in the heart of the historic downtown neighborhood. This year, the free market and premium music festival is bigger than ever, taking up portions of Occidental, Washington and Main Streets to make space for over 100 pop-up vendors, 40 Seattle-based bands, and five event stages. 

Seattle is in for a cultural first this summer as the Choma Festival makes its debut at Jimi Hendrix Park on Saturday, June 28 from 12–6 p.m. This free, family-friendly event is rooted in the East African tradition of Nyama Choma (Swahili for “grilled meat”)—a cookout-style gathering that’s about more than just the food. It’s about connection, joy, and shared experience.

Step into Island Soul in Seattle’s Columbia City, and you’re not just walking into a restaurant—you’re stepping into a legacy, a labor of love, and a cultural hub powered by family, flavor, and community.

This Juneteenth weekend, one of Seattle’s most powerful cultural traditions returns to the stage. On Sunday, June 22, 2025, Songs of Black Folk takes over McCaw Hall at the Seattle Center — bringing with it a dynamic blend of fine arts, music, and storytelling that honors the enduring legacy of Black music.

As Seattle gears up to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the city’s excitement is captured in more than just stadiums and team announcements—it’s also in the art. Shogo Ota, a Japanese-born artist now based on Camano Island, was named the finalist behind Seattle’s official host city poster.

Get ready for an impactful episode of "Back2Besa" this week, hosted by guest host Tavis Conway! Stepping in for Besa Gordon, Tavis brings a fresh, youthful perspective as we explore the real and raw experiences of teens and young adults in Seattle.

The final Scope Screenings event of 2024 brought big energy, bold films, and even bolder community vibes to SIFF Cinema Uptown—and it all played out on a special Back2Besa episode guest-hosted by LexScope himself.

SEATTLE, WA (May 1, 2025) — ACT Contemporary Theatre and Seattle Shakespeare Company announced today the cast and creative team of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, directed by Annie Lareau and playing at ACT June 7 through June 22. Twelfth Night represents the debut of Seattle Shakespeare Company at ACT and their first joint production ahead of their official merging on July 1 of 2025.

At the heart of Seattle’s youth empowerment movement is a stage—not a big one, but one that holds powerful stories, big dreams, and young voices ready to be heard. That stage belongs to Speak With Purpose (SWP), and their annual Rising Voices showcase is a celebration of what happens when children are given not just the mic—but the confidence to use it.

Trae Holiday, along with her fellow Emmy winners, brought their historic win back to its roots in the Central District, returning to the exact location where her award-winning video was filmed. This wasn't simply a celebratory gesture; it was a powerful statement. The return of the Emmy to the CD served as a vibrant symbol of Black Joy, alive and well in a community with a rich and storied past.