In 2012, inspired by her own experience with homelessness, Nikki Gane-Butler took a bold step to address the unmet needs of women in transition by founding Dignity for Divas. This organization has since become a beacon of hope for countless women across Western Washington.

Our partners over at GZ Radio covered the Creative Economy Career Day at McCaw Hall on February 9th where they spoke to industry professionals and students about the importance of the day and the career opportunities that exist for creatives.

Besa Gordon hopped on the Amtrak Train and headed back to Portland, Oregon, after learning about the 5th annual Junction Ave, a Black History Month Event that brings black businesses and services together put on by Self Enhancement Inc, also known SEI -- and believe it or not, over the years, it has become the biggest annual event of its kind in the Portland area.

On Friday, February 23, Young Black Homeowners (YBH), partnering with the African American Leadership Forum (AALFWA), hosted the second Black Equity Ball. This red-carpet affair was created to honor the journey of current and future black homeowners as they embark on the experience of gaining first-time homeownership. The event showcased DJing, musical performances, vendors, a champagne toast, and a dinner catered by That Brown Girl Cooks! that set the tone for the evening.

#BlackHockeyHistory - It was Black Hockey History Night at Climate Pledge Arena. And since the Seattle Kraken’s inception, they have been working hard to build an inclusive hockey community. Throughout the season, they have “theme nights,” where a specialty jersey is created by a local artist who takes the Kraken’s iconic S logo jersey and turns it into something that represents their artistic style and the theme for the night.

On a buzzing Friday night, Portland's Roseland Theater was the epicenter of an electrifying atmosphere, hosting a sold-out concert featuring the legendary Too Short and Portland's very own Cool Nutz. The lineup was stellar, with Mikey Vegas, Juma Blaq, DJ Fatboy, and Bad Habit setting the stage on fire, creating an unforgettable night for the city's live music aficionados.

On the latest episode Back2Besa, we followed the journey of Soulma Ayers and Perry Rhoden as they embarked on a captivating adventure from Seattle to Mexico City Art Week.

We have talked about Taswira, a cultural art gallery and event space in Pioneer Square owned by Avery Barnes, a few times on the show. But did you know, they recently put in a new exhibit by Nigerian artist Olumide Oresegun?

The Griot Party Experience recognizes the legacy of Black Copper Brown and indigenous people in the Central District of Seattle and honors their contributions through hip-hop, spoken-word storytelling theater.

Finding a hairstylist takes work! Between searching online and asking your friends and family where they go, finding someone to keep you looking on point can become a little draining. Well, a new Black Owned hair salon recently opened in the Federal Way Commons mall called Ena'Vative Hair Studio.

A Mutual Goodbye - Iconic Seattle fish market closes its doors after 77 years. Besa Gordon and her show Back2Besa teamed up with Cynthia Brothers from Vanishing Seattle to capture the moment and honor the legacy of the historic Mutual Fish Company.

Last week, Besa Gordon decided to do something that she hadn’t done in a while… a real deal roadtrip. She took a trip across the state to Spokane - and let her tell it:“My girl Nicole and I headed to the other side of the Evergreen State into the City of Spokane - 280 miles from downtown Seattle, basically a four and a half hour drive.

Have you heard about Terrain? The annual one-night-only event in Spokane is one of the regions largest gatherings of artists from all over the world. Featuring nearly 400 artists, Terrain has firmly established its name as one of the top destinations for art lovers in the Pacific Northwest. Back2Besa host Besa Gordon headed across the state to check it out for herself.

Back2Besa headed to the ‘Happiest Place On Earth’ for a special holiday preview. Host Besa Gordon was at Disney Land’s Holiday Preview event in Anaheim, where she hosted a live radio broadcast on HITS 106.1 and learned all about what they have in store for the holiday season.

One of Seattle’s most iconic poets hosted a book reading and signing event at African Streetwear Gallery TASWIRA last week. Rajnii Eddins, founder of The Poetry Experience, shared words from his book ‘In The Coded Language Of This Mortal Tongue’ amongst an audience of artists, friends, and fans. The event showcased the power of his words alongside live instrumental performances.

Community members gathered at Lake Washington Park on Saturday to celebrate Elijah Lewis Day on what would have been his 24th Birthday. Family, friends, and community leaders hosted a lantern ceremony to honor Lewis, who was tragically murdered in April while defending his nephew.

#HBCU #SwingmanClassic - "This is a family reunion.”It was a historic day in the Emerald City as the first-ever Swingman Classic took over T-Mobile park on Friday and brought Seattle’s Black community to the stadium for a celebration of Black joy, baseball, and HBCUs. The game brought 50 of the best HBCU baseball players from around the country to Seattle to showcase their talents, while an HBCU college fair took place in the concourse.

#DayOfRemembrance - Last Monday, community members gathered to remember those we’ve lost during the City of Seattle and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility One Seattle Day of Remembrance event at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill in Seattle. It was a somber and reflective day featuring a memorial as well as a look at the work different organizations and individuals are doing throughout the community to end the epidemic of violence.

It was a community reunion in the #CentralDistrict on Sunday as @africatownlandtrust hosted their annual Reunion On Union creating space for those who used to call the CD home but have been displaced over the years to come back home to the neighborhood to fill their hearts, souls, and stomachs. Over 450 seats lined East Union Street between 23rd and 24th Avenue in the shadow of ACLT’s Liberty Bank Building as generations of Central District residents greeted, laughed, and cried.