Tonight marks a legendary return as the "curator of culture" herself, Elisha Michelle, steps back into the Black Media Matters Studio for a monumental edition of The Pop-Up*. This isn't just another show; it’s a full-scale Tacoma Takeover. Elisha is returning to the studio with "all her people"—a hand-picked lineup of the 253’s most influential entrepreneurs, artists, and community pillars—to bring that signature "Legendary" energy to the airwaves.

As we navigate Mental Health Awareness Month this May, a powerful new voice is emerging from the Seattle theater scene to tackle one of our community’s most persistent and painful stigmas. Opening later this month at Acts on Stage Theater, the world premiere of Black Man Goes to Therapy is more than just a stage production—it is a communal reckoning and a courageous step toward systemic healing.

Business and branding coach Cloe Luv joined host Omari Salisbury (aka "The Big O") at the Black Media Matter studio in downtown Seattle for an insightful episode of The Pop-Up!. Luv, a best-selling author and content creator, shared her "signature spark" framework designed to help individuals increase their impact, influence, and income.

SEATTLE, WA – Following a recent appearance on Converge Media’s The Pop-Up! Last week, to discuss the voting rights in America, political commentator and advocate Angela Rye took to Instagram Live on Saturday night to issue a "livid" plea for national mobilization. Rye is calling on supporters to descend on Montgomery, Alabama, on Saturday, May 16, at 1:00 PM, for a rally to confront what she describes as a systemic dismantling of voting rights across the United States.

The Seattle art scene is evolving, and at the heart of this transformation is the Avery Barnes Gallery. Formerly known as TASWIRA, the gallery has officially rebranded and is now embarking on a significant strategic expansion, including a transition to a new, larger Seattle location.

Amanda and Tariq Sahali recently appeared on The Day With Trae with host Trae Holiday to share their journey of entrepreneurship, from cooling down neighborhoods with artisanal popsicles to tackling the region's daunting housing crisis.

Author Ed Taylor recently sat down with host Trae Holiday on The Day With Trae to discuss his new book, The Power of the River. What began as a series of private stories for a friend in need evolved into a memoir that celebrates the resilience of community and the legacy of Black motherhood.

SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle Mariners took the field at T-Mobile Park yesterday, wearing the black-and-white uniforms of the 1946 Seattle Steelheads to take on the Kansas City Royals. While the on-field outcome was a tough one for a Mariners team that has now dropped several games in a row, the meaning of the afternoon extended far beyond the box score. For the fans gathered in the stands, the day was a powerful celebration of Black baseball heritage, community connection, and local culture.

In a vibrant, multi-day celebration of cinematic artistry and historical legacy, the 23rd annual Seattle Black Film Festival (SBFF) concluded its successful run on Sunday evening. Attendees, local leaders, and visual artists gathered at the flagship taproom of Métier Brewing Company, a prominent Black-owned craft brewery in Seattle’s Central District that also served as a presenting sponsor for the festival for the SBFF Kick-Back.

On a recent episode of The Day With Trae, host Trae Holiday welcomed Dorianne Attiogbé, the visionary founder and designer behind the jewelry brand Atiwo.

Besa Gordon recently visited the new Dignity for Divas headquarters in South Lake Union to learn how the organization is expanding its approach to women transitioning from homelessness to self-sufficiency. 

Last night, The Pop-Up! hosted Julie-C, a prominent Seattle creator and community organizer, for a deep dive into the city's evolving creative landscape and the power of collective action. Julie-C, who describes her work as building "creative solidarity for collective liberation," shared profound insights into how art can serve as a tool for self-growth, healing, and unlearning systemic toxicities.

Opera singer Darren Drone recently joined host Trae Holiday on “The Day With Trae” to discuss his history as a singer, his current role in Seattle Opera’s Carmen, and the show’s harrowing relevance in modern society.

Yesterday on The Pop-Up!, we had the privilege of sitting down with Melvin Slaughter, the founder of Solutions for Seattle, to discuss his mission of unity and his upcoming community event. Melvin is on a mission to tear down silos between different organizations in Seattle and bring people together for a common cause.

Last night on The Pop-Up!, The Big O sat down with Jazz from Seattle to preview the incredible energy surrounding the 23rd annual Seattle Black Film Festival (SBFF). Returning to its historic home base at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (LANGSTON) in the Central District, the four-day festival runs from April 30 through May 3, 2026. This year’s theme, "The Sound of Us," honors the visual and auditory soundscapes that define the global Black experience.

The Black Home Initiative (BHI), in partnership with Washington Homeownership Resource Center (WHRC), has set a clear, impactful priority: to create opportunities for 1,500 new low- and moderate-income Black households to own a home in South King, North Pierce, and Thurston Counties by the end of 2028.

Yesterday’s episode of the "Pop-Up!" broadcast, live from the Black Media Matter studio, took a serious turn as host "The Big O" sat down with Ibijoke “Ibi” Idowu, a candidate for President of the Seattle Education Association (SEA). With voting ending this Friday, Idowu joined the show to share her platform and the catalyst behind her run for leadership of the 5,500-member union.

Zimbabwean American artist Draze has released his new single and visual, “No,” an artistic statement serving as an anthem for freedom and unity.

Mezzo-soprano opera singer J'Nai Bridges is making a triumphant return to her hometown of Seattle for her official, fully staged operatic debut with Seattle Opera in the title role of Carmen.

Converge Media's fresh evening series, "The Pop-Up!", premiered on Monday with host The Big O and guests ProofNThePlay and Deaunte Damper.