On this week’s episode of Almost The Weekend, Besa sits down with someone whose journey is just as flavorful as her food — Leah Hernandez, founder of Lada Nada Empanadas. If you’ve tasted her empanadas at a pop-up, then you already know: they’re unforgettable — and for Leah, that reaction means everything.

By Besa Gordon - “So About Yesterday” is a new series I’m doing where I take yall with me and show you a day in my life. Some people say I’m always busy, I like to think my job just requires different things.

This episode of Almost The Weekend brings the perfect mix of fun, food, and culture as hosts Besa Gordon and Curtis “Cuddy” Delgardo run through a fresh lineup of events happening around the PNW. From holiday parties to concerts, nightlife, and neighborhood pop-ups, the ATW team breaks down what’s worth putting on your weekend radar — whether you're outside with friends or looking for something new to try.

By Besa Gordon - You already know — hip hop raised us, shaped us, and continues to inspire everything we do. This week on Back2Besa, I wanted to dedicate the entire show to the culture that has poured into me since I was a kid.

The Re-Sole 206, Seattle’s very first sneaker dry cleaning business is revolutionizing how people care for their sneakers. Takiyah “T-Dub” Ward, artist and founder of the Re-Sole in Seattle’s Central District, offers high-quality customization and restoration services while also serving as a community hub to educate locals on the power of sneaker maintenance and sustainability. 

Scope Screenings, a monthly independent film festival, has cemented its place as a vital cornerstone of Seattle’s arts ecosystem. Last month, the festival brought together a variety of filmmakers, musicians, and creatives to showcase their short-form content on the big screen. With pride in their people and expression, the local creatives and team members revealed a profound dedication to community, artistic growth, and powerful storytelling.

This morning, Mayor-elect Katie Wilson announced her senior staff team to guide her administration and implement her vision. The senior staff are described as coalition builders, community organizers, and public servants.

Host Trae Holiday welcomed Justin Pinder, the co-founder and executive director of the new nonprofit How2Listen on a recent episode of "The Day with Trae." Pinder shared his journey from a Seattle-raised artist to a music executive and detailed his organization's inspiring mission: to cultivate a thriving music ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest.

In the heart of Seattle's Central District, Zara Jo Beauty Supply is redefining the beauty product shopping experience for the Black community. Focusing on representation and Black-owned brands, the store's owner Jamal Wilson and Director of Events and Community Development Autumm Coles shared the inspiring journey behind their business and its commitment to the community.

If you’re looking for the authentic, magnetic pulse of the Pacific Northwest entertainment scene, you’ll find it embodied in Curtis Delgardo II, aka Cuddy. As the high-energy co-host of Converge Media’s "Almost The Weekend!" and youth and entertainment producer at Converge Media, Cuddy doesn't just guide the conversation—he is the conversation, bringing an insider's authority and an infectious vibe that makes the show required viewing every Thursday night.

Host Trae Holiday recently welcomed Crystal Hairston, the founding director of the Lifted! Youth Gospel Choir, to "The Day with Trae." Hairston shared the incredible journey of the choir, which has grown from just a handful of children in 2020 to over 65 families, all centered on creating a space of belonging and mutual respect.

This Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, the Converge Media family is coming together for The Converge Media Telethon: Powered By The People in the Black Media Matters Studio. This eight-hour telethon-style live stream in partnership with the Northwest Film Forum is your opportunity to hang out with the big names of Converge, celebrate incredible stories, and donate to ensure independent Black media stays alive in the Pacific Northwest. 

The multi-Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir has returned to North America, bringing their inspirational new concert, "PEACE," to audiences across the continent, including Seattle on December 18 at the Moore Theatre. Formed in 2002 to celebrate the unique power of African gospel music, the choir has established itself as a global phenomenon, thrilling audiences with their powerful sound and infectious spirit.

Last month, for the second year in a row, Converge Media visited Rainier Beach High School for the 8th Annual Black College Expo. The expo was more than a college-readiness event; it was a crossroads where students could connect with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and learn about opportunities to advance their higher education.

Tired of fragmented campaigns and audiences that don't convert? Converge Media offers a unique, powerful solution to reach a highly engaged, civically-minded, and loyal consumer base in the Pacific Northwest. By partnering with us, you aren't just buying ad space: you are investing in authentic connections, community impact, and unparalleled visibility across the region's most influential multi-platform network.

In a recent interview on The Day With Trae, author, filmmaker, and Seattle Film Commissioner KD Hall sat down with guest host Omari Salisbury to discuss her new book, “Sacred Pause,” and the transformative power of grief and focusing one's mission.

The holiday season is officially underway, and this week on Almost the Weekend! host Besa Gordon sat down with Chelsea Riddick-Most, Director of Programs and Events at Seattle Center, for a deep dive into everything the campus has planned from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. Chelsea shared a warm and detailed look into the festivities—and there is truly something for everyone.

Lyndsey Williams, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Kyla Care Therapy, joined host Trae Holiday on "The Day with Trae" to delve into the crucial, yet often overlooked, area of reproductive mental health. Williams explained that her specialty, reproductive mental health, is comprehensive, covering everything from period to perimenopause.

By Besa Gordon - Yesterday on Good Day Seattle, I had the chance to talk all about one of my favorite things: supporting Black-owned businesses during the holiday shopping season. And if you watched the segment, you already know — I came ready with the details and the vibes.

Earlier this month, the Indigenous advocacy organization, Huy, and Eighth Generation hosted their second annual Welcome Home and Honoring Celebration, a ceremony recognizing formerly incarcerated relatives and celebrating their homecoming. The event took place at Eighth Generation’s headquarters in Georgetown, filled with community members, formerly incarcerated people, and their beloved family and friends eager to commemorate.