It All Begins Here

Last night on The Pop-Up!, Converge producer Juma Blaq from Portland, Oregon paid a visit to the Black Media Matters Studio where he touched on something deeply impactful: Black men’s mental health. His message was clear: normalize going to therapy and discussing trauma in the name of healing.

Juma Blaq is a dedicated visionary and producer whose unwavering commitment to community stewardship has provided a home base for Black culture and representation in the Rose City. We applaud him for his impact and dedication to telling better stories.

When it comes to protecting Black people, therapist and author Ashley McGirt-Adair keeps it real. Last night on The Pop-Up! with host The Big O, McGirt-Adair discussed the recent controversy around reality star Cheyenne Bryant’s academic credentials, saying that by falsely claiming to be a therapist on Black platforms, Bryant is harming Black people.

Learn more about Ashley McGirt-Adair at ashleymcgirt.com

There’s been some confusion about the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) spray-painting “Remove” on the iconic red, black, and green crosswalks in the CD. Last night on The Pop-Up!, The Big O cleared it up: SDOT is repainting the crosswalks, and “Remove” identifies which crosswalks will be touched up, not that the City is removing them for good.

India Irons, Executive Director of Fearless Dance Studio joined guest host Elisha Michelle on The Pop-Up! to share her journey of overcoming domestic violence and depression, and her studio's mission to empower youth through dance.

Beyond India's dedication to teaching dance to the next generation, Fearless Dance Studio focuses on helping kids discover their purpose and value, providing support to overcome challenges like suicide and depression, and building confidence and a fearless spirit in every student.

You can keep up with Fearless Dance Studio at livefearlessdancestudio.com

Cloé Luv a best-selling author, business and branding coach, and content creator, joined The Big O on The Pop-Up! last week where she discussed her experience navigating a divorce and her son’s autism diagnosis while building her brand. Her latest book, Step Into Your Celebrity Energy, is all about leaning into the magnetic force of alignment between your true essence, your voice, and your visibility.

Learn more about Luv’s work at stepintoyourcelebrityenergy.com.

Before legal analyst and podcaster Angela Rye joined tens of thousands of others marching for civil rights in Montgomery, Alabama for All Roads Lead to the South, she stopped by the Black Media Matters Studio to tell us that only 10% of Montgomery’s population participated in the bus boycott that successfully secured the right for Black people to sit where they chose on buses, according to her Native Land Pod co-host Andrew Gillum.

For Rye, the current power of unified action is the key to making a mighty blow. “We have always been a powerful people,” she said.

Check out all things Angela Rye at angelarye.com