It All Begins Here

Host The Big O is joined by two of Converge Media’s powerhouse personalities: 2026 Seattle Pride Grand Marshal Deaunte Damper and lifestyle expert Ashleigh McCurdy from The Sanctuary!

From dissecting the latest local headlines to tracking what’s hot in Pacific Northwest culture, fashion, and lifestyle, this is the unscripted nightly conversation you can’t afford to miss.

This episode of the "The Pop-Up!," hosted by The Big O, features guests Papa Black Davinci and Angela Rye for a wide-ranging discussion on business, politics, and social issues. The trio discusses the demise of Spirit Airlines, then highlights the nationwide expansion plans of Lewis Rudd, the co-founder of Ezell's Famous Chicken, and celebrates the franchise's long history of community support.

The conversation then shifts to more serious topics, including personal accounts of the challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry and a recent history lesson on racial language delivered by Seattle City Council President Joy Hollingsworth. Strategist Angela Rye provides an in-depth analysis of recent Supreme Court decisions affecting the Voting Rights Act, framing the current political climate as a "dangerous retraction" of civil rights.

The episode concludes with Papa Black Da Vinci discussing the inspiration behind his single "Control Alt Delete" and both guests sharing what drives their continued advocacy and community engagement.

The Pop-Up! was thrilled to welcome Jazz From Seattle to discuss the 23rd annual Seattle Black Film Festival at LANGSTON. This year’s festival, themed "The Sound of Us," is a tribute to the auditory heartbeat of the Black experience, showcasing how music and spoken word translate to the big screen.

Joining the conversation is community leader Melvin Slaughter (also known as Mr. Solutions for Seattle), who will be breaking down the details for his upcoming Solutions for Seattle event taking place this Sunday.

Converge Media’s own Ashleigh McCurdy from The Sanctuary gave us the rundown on her recent wine events and what to look forward to on her spring and summer calendar.

After we dove into the future of our local schools with Ibijoke "Ibi" Idowu, a candidate for Seattle Education Association (SEA) President with eight years of experience in Special Education. Ibi, who has served as an association representative and strike captain, will discuss her campaign, the current struggles facing teachers, and the upcoming contract bargaining session.

Things are getting truly legendary as we welcome a powerhouse duo to the stage: Elisha Michelle and Deaunte Damper. As the visionary curator behind Legendary AF, Elisha Michelle continues to redefine Puget Sound’s creative landscape by bridging the worlds of fashion, music, and community.

She’s joined by the 2026 Seattle Pride Grand Marshal and activist Deaunte Damper, who brings his signature energy and unwavering commitment to advocacy and Black LGBTQ+ excellence.

The culture officially took center stage with the series premiere of The Pop-Up! across all Converge Media streaming platforms. Host The Big O kicked things off with a heavy-hitting duo—Deaunte Damper and ProofNThePlay—for a raw, relaxed dive into the community news, entertainment, and local info that actually matters.

From the latest headlines to the upcoming Pride season, this isn’t your typical broadcast; it’s an open-dialogue, urban-focused look at exactly what’s poppin’ in our streets this summer.