Telling Better Stories the Converge Media Way
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• 9/1/26Rewriting The Narrative: Rainier Beach Community Unveils New Campus
Last year, Rainier Beach High School officially opened its beautiful new campus that honored the school’s storied history. The journey to the new high school building represented a turning point for the Rainier Beach community determined to rewrite its narrative, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay said.
For years, the school faced immense adversity, from being under-resourced to dwindling enrollment numbers. Refusing to accept these challenges as their permanent reality, the community united three years ago to collaborate with architects, ensuring their voices were heard to create a space that genuinely feels like home.
Rainier Beach students, community members, and parents stepped up to physically build the new facility. The school's library was dedicated to advocate and former school board director Betty Patu, the athletic complex was dedicated to legendary men's basketball coach Mike Bethea, and the basketball court was dedicated to one of the best to ever do it, NBA legend and Rainier Beach alum Jamal Crawford.
Built with love, heart, and character, this state-of-the-art facility is a physical manifestation of hope designed to inspire the current student body, elevate the neighborhood, and confidently pass the baton to push future generations forward.
Converge Media wants to thank Seattle Public Schools, Lydig Construction, The Vida Agency, and, of course, the Rainier Beach family for giving us the honor of documenting the building of the Beach.
“Build the Beach, For Us, By Us"
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• 8/24/26Big Day of Play 2026: Bridging Community Through Equity and Action
The Big Day of Play, recently hosted by Seattle Parks and Recreation at Rainier Playfield, redefined community wellness through a commitment to equity and access. By utilizing a racial equity toolkit assessment, the city shifted municipal resources to the 98118 zip code, aiming to create access for underrepresented and at-risk populations to retain ownership over their public spaces.
The day kicked off with the Fun Run, a non-competitive mile race designed to promote active living across all generations, which led participants directly to on-site block parties, vendor fairs, and inflatable installations. Throughout the playfield, families enjoyed a variety of athletic activations, including structured pickleball and tennis sessions with free equipment, alongside community-led activities funded by the Get Moving Grant.
To dismantle transportation barriers, title sponsor King County Metro promoted structural mobility by distributing free Youth ORCA cards to attendees aged 18 and younger and gathering rider feedback for the upcoming RapidRide R Line project. Ultimately, the collaborative effort of these organizers and community members demonstrated how shared public spaces can dissolve divisions and celebrate unified civic health.
Learn more about how you can engage with Seattle Parks and Recreation at seattle.gov/parks
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• 4/21/26Build 2 Lead’s Melanin and Medicine Opens Doors for Black and Brown Youth in Healthcare
Build 2 Lead, an organization working to empower youth through civic engagement and workforce development, recently hosted a three-day Melanin and Medicine event in Federal Way, Washington.
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• 2/14/26Couture Cocktails Hosts Valentine's Day Cocktail Class At Made Space
Do you feel the love in the air? To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we’re throwing it back to 2023 when Ashaunti Martin-Smith, owner of the Seattle-based bartending service Couture Cocktails, hosted a beautiful, love-themed cocktail class at Made Space in the Central District.
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• 1/21/26Cannabis Culture Meets Gourmet Cuisine at LUVN Kitchn's Infused Game Night
#ConvergeMediaPresents - We’ve recently had the opportunity to expand our storytelling into Seattle’s cannabis culture, thanks to producer and cannabis enthusiast Curtis Delgado II, aka Cuddy. Tapping into his own expertise, Cuddy visited a private loft in Interbay for an infused Game Night hosted by LUVN Social Club. As Cuddy made clear, the atmosphere felt like home, creating a truly intentional space where good food, flower, and fellowship converge.
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• 12/30/25Converge's "Diamond of Opportunity" Documentary to Come Spring 2026
As we close out a joyous 2025, we are ecstatic to share the first look at our upcoming documentary “Diamond of Opportunity” following the Mariners Care Foundation, premiering Spring 2026 on FOX13 Seattle. From Jacksonville, Mississippi to Anchorage, Alaska, to home plate in the Emerald City, the Mariners have committed to making baseball and softball more accessible, more visible, and more inspirational to underrepresented youth who lack reliable resources to play the game they love.
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• 10/13/25Indigenous Peoples' Day: Celebrating Suquamish History and Community Resilience Through Baseball
Today, we honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Seattle by sharing an incredible story about local baseball history that deserves to be known by every fan in the city. A century ago, the Suquamish Tribal Baseball Team wasn't just a local league; they were a group of All-Stars who represented their tribe and their community on an international scale, traveling to Japan in 1921.
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• 9/1/25The Postman - A Converge Media & Vanishing Seattle Film
"The Postman" (2021), a short documentary from Converge Media and Vanishing Seattle, tells the poignant story of Keanna and D'Vonne Pickett, the young entrepreneurs behind a shipping and small business services company in Seattle's Central District.
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• 8/2/25Gardner Global Rooftop Honors: A Night of Uplift and Community Celebration in Seattle
Rooftop Honors - What an absolutely unforgettable evening it was! The inaugural Gardner Global Rooftop Honors, held on Thursday, July 31st, truly illuminated downtown Seattle with an extraordinary outpouring of love and gratitude.
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• 7/21/25Ethiopian Community in Seattle Leads the Charge Against Housing Crisis
The Ethiopian Community in Seattle (ECS) hosted a critical event aimed at addressing Seattle's escalating housing crisis. The gathering brought together a diverse coalition of community members, elected officials, public funders, and organizations, including the Amazon Housing Equity Fund, to explore sustainable and equitable housing solutions.
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• 6/18/25Jaden's Legacy: A Community Unites to Support Youth in Recovery
The Jaden Community Support Fund Celebration was a deeply moving event, held to honor the memory of Jaden Joannes, a cherished alumnus of the Interagency Recovery Academy.
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• 6/21/2523rd Ave Brewery Celebrates 3rd Anniversary - We Look Back On Opening Day
#SupportBlackBusiness - Today marks the 3rd anniversary of 23rd Ave Brewery. Our cameras were there, counting down the hours before the doors opened. The occasion brings a reflection on the emotions and experiences shared during the grand opening.
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• 6/16/25Beyond 'Getting Over It': King County Summit Focuses on Post-Traumatic Support
King County's inaugural Summit on Crime Survivors brought together a diverse group to share stories, discuss solutions, and call for systemic change.
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• 6/11/25A Year of Paine - Dedicated to the memory of Amarr Murphy-Paine
A Year of Paine - June 6th marked one year since the tragic murder of student Amarr Murphy-Paine, which occurred at Garfield High School. This day also coincided with National Gun Violence Awareness Day, adding another layer of significance to the somber occasion.
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• 6/8/25Trae Holiday Scores Emmy Win!
Congratulations to Trae Holiday for her Emmy win last night at the NATAS NW Emmy Gala for “The Day With Trae Intro”! A gold statue is heading home to the Central District of Seattle!
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• 5/28/25Thank You, Coach Joe
Converge Media joins hands with Baseball Beyond Borders in honoring the memory of Coach Joe Townsend, a truly remarkable man whose passing leaves a void in our community.
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• 5/12/25Jamal Crawford speaks to purpose at the dedication of basketball court that bears his name.
Saturday was a tremendous day for the Rainier Beach family. A series of historic dedications took place, cementing legacies of dedication and service. The Rainier Beach High School Library was officially dedicated to Betty Patu, the Athletic Complex to Coach Michael S. Bethea, and the brand-new basketball court to NBA star and RBHS alum, Jamal Crawford.
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Rainier Beach Head Coach Mike Bethea on New Gym That Honors His Name
RAINIER BEACH - "My name just happens to be the name up there, but it represents everybody who put in that fight to get the school, to get that gym."
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• 4/30/25Rooted in Love: Honoring Elijah L. Lewis Through Community and Cultivation
On March 31, 2025, the Rainier Beach Urban Farm in South Seattle became a place of healing and remembrance. Community members gathered to honor Elijah L. Lewis, a beloved organizer and visionary who was tragically taken by gun violence in 2023.
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• 5/1/25Family, Flavor, and Love: Inside PJ’s Classic Ice Cream in Seattle’s Central District
Seattle’s Central District has a new gem bringing sweet Black joy to the community. PJ’s Classic Homemade Ice Cream and Bon Bons, co-owned by sisters Michelle and Danielle Forbes, is rooted in family legacy, love, and tradition.
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"Celebrating HERstory Tea Party" Honors Black Women in Seattle
#ConvergeMediaPresents - On Saturday, March 29, 2025, the WOW Gallery in downtown Seattle's Pacific Place Mall hosted a very special event titled "Celebrating HERstory Tea Party." This gathering brought together a diverse group of Black women from various organizations across the region.
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• 3/28/25Seattle's "AI House" Opens, Aiming to Lead AI Innovation and Diversity
Yesterday marked the official grand opening of the "AI House" at Pier 70 in Seattle, a collaborative initiative spearheaded by the City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development (OED), Ai2 Incubator, Washington State Department of Commerce, and ADA Developers Academy.
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Noelle Quinn: A Transformative Leader in the WNBA
#WomensHistoryMonth - Noelle Quinn's journey is one of remarkable leadership and dedication. A standout player at UCLA and a WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm in 2018, she further solidified her legacy as an associate head coach, contributing to another Storm championship in 2020. In 2021, Quinn stepped into the role of head coach, bringing her unique perspective and philosophy to the forefront.
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• 3/26/25TF9: Now + Later - A Night of Art, Transformation, and Community at AXIS Pioneer Square
#ConvergeMediaPresents: The FEELS Foundation's TF9: Now + Later art showcase, held March 22, 2025, at AXIS Pioneer Square in Seattle, celebrated identity, transformation, and self-discovery. Featuring artists Angelina Villalobos Soto, Charde’ Camille Brown, B Line Dot, Hanako O’Leary, and Gerardo Peña, the event showcased diverse mediums, including sculpture, digital art, photography, and installations.
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• 3/25/25Beyond the Chair: How Barbershops are Becoming Safe Spaces for Mental Health
Northwest Credible Messengers is making a significant impact through its Barber & Beauty Shop Behavioral Health Project, powered by a grant from the Community Reinvestment Project and the Washington State Department of Commerce.
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Jimi Hendrix's Enduring Legacy Celebrated with Medal of Merit
Olympia, WA - Jimi Hendrix, Seattle's own Guitar God, posthumously received the Washington State Medal of Merit, one of the state's highest civilian honors, on March 18th. Decades after his passing in 1970, his enduring influence on music & culture was officially recognized.
