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Blending Families, Friends, and Community: OBK Winery Opens New Tasting Room
The pops of corks and cheers of the community came together to celebrate the opening of OBK Winery’s new tasting room last month. The first Black-owned winery in Pierce County, OBK hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, demonstrating what can be achieved with perseverance, family, and community support.
DeiMarlon Scisney: Empowering Small Businesses and Communities with Data
In a compelling episode of "We Live in Color” earlier this year, host Deaunte Damper sat down with DeiMarlon Scisney, also known as D the Data Guy, a self-described data expert helping communities and businesses harness the power of data. The conversation delved into the importance of data strategy for small businesses, the impact of data on community issues, and the role of artificial intelligence in today's landscape.
‘Luxury Lifestyle’ Streetwear: DJ Teague’s Journey and Vision of Vanté
The fashion sense was impeccable when Curtis Delgardo II, aka Cuddy, recently welcomed his friend Divante Teague, widely known as DJ Teague, to "Almost the Weekend" to discuss Teague’s bold sense of style as a designer and creative, his journey from Chicago to Seattle, and the creation of his streetwear brand, Vision of Vanté.
The Tape: Rediscovering Humanity in the Shadow of CHOP
Five years is a long time. It is long enough for narratives to harden into concrete, for headlines to fade into history, and for a city to try to move on. But for those of us who were there—standing on the pavement at 12th and Pine, breathing in the tear gas, and documenting the unraveling of a movement—the past is never really gone. It lives in the archives. It lives in the trauma we carry.
From Pop-Up Tables to a Bigger Vision — Lada Nada Empanadas Takes a Seat on Almost The Weekend
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.
So About Yesterday | Glam, Cameras & Three Shoots Later: A Day In The Life of Besa Gordon
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.
Weekend Picks & Flavorful Conversations With Leah Hernandez of Lada Nada Empanadas on Almost The Weekend
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.
PREVIEW: Honoring the Culture: Hip Hop’s Past, Present & Future on Back2Besa
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: How Seattle’s First Sneaker Dry Cleaner Is Revolutionizing Sneakercare
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.
From Mental Health to Murals: The Powerful Storytelling of October’s Scope Screening
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.
Wilson Announces Senior Staff Team
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.
Justin Pinder Talks How2Listen and Elevating the Pacific Northwest Music Scene
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.
Zara Jo Beauty Supply: Building Community Through Black Excellence
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.
Curtis Delgardo II: The Unfiltered Vibe and Producing Powerhouse of ‘Almost The Weekend!’
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.
The Harmony of Community: How Lifted! Youth Gospel Choir Uplifts Youth Through Music
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.
The Converge Media Telethon: Powered By The People is Happening All Day This Giving Tuesday!
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.
Experience "PEACE": The Soweto Gospel Choir Returns to North America
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.
A Crossroads to Higher Education: Rainier Beach High School Hosts 8th Annual Black College Expo
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.
Stop Fragmenting Your Ad Spend: How to Reach TV, Social, and Web Audiences in One Buy
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.
From Grief to Greatness: KD Hall's Journey of Purpose and ‘Sacred Pause’
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.