Last month, Converge co-founder Erik Kalligraphy pulled up to Fremont Friday: Blackout with his Emmy, and captured the electricity and Black joy that dominated the LTD Bar & Grill and other stages in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood.

Hosted by Converge’s own Deaunte Damper, the night featured a stacked lineup of Black Seattle talent performing everything from punk rock to rap. Fremont Fridays: Blackout featured artists including Gifted Gab, Jasto, Saint Deon, Maya Marie, BLXCKPUNKS, DJ Gyasi, Lionel Green x Mikayla, Kiddus Fecto, Yel Menró, Shaun Crawford & The Reasons, Pink Moss, Zoser, and the Marshall Law Band.

First spearheaded in 2021 by musician and community organizer Marshall Hugh, Fremont Fridays has undoubtedly established a staple platform for Seattle talent to shine. By intentionally centering Black musicians and providing a stage for underrepresented artists, Hugh’s vision gives total power right back to the creatives. Week after week, he has proved that when a community comes together to lift each other up, art becomes truly infinite.

Fremont Fridays might be over for the year, but stay tuned for more info about next year's festival series at fremontfridaysseattle.com

Seattle's Pride Parade is an annual event that brings together members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance. However, the parade is more than just a colorful spectacle; it serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights.

Last year's parade was particularly poignant, as Deaunte Damper, host of Converge Media’s We Live In Color, inspired by the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson, delivered a moving Call to Action. Damper's speech highlighted the harsh realities faced by many in the LGBTQ+ community, including homelessness, overdose, and transphobic violence.

Damper's words reminded us that Pride is not just a celebration but a global movement for justice and peace. The parade, in it’s 50th year, while a joyful occasion, also serves as a platform to honor those lost in the fight for equality and emphasize the work that still needs to be done.

Seattle's Pride Parade, with its roots in activism and its focus on social justice, continues to be a powerful force for change in the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

Don’t miss Deaunte leading the Seattle Pride Parade tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. as the 2026 Grand Marshal!

We are still riding the wave from two weeks ago when the community came together to celebrate the one and only Deaunte Damper’s 41st birthday!

It was a night full of pure joy, but it also marked a major milestone for Pioneer Square. We had the absolute honor of holding the very first official event at the breathtaking new Colman Commons!

If you haven’t seen this space yet, you need to get it on your radar immediately. Under the visionary leadership of Executive Director Ashleigh McCurdy, Colman Commons is set to be a premier cultural hub for art, connection, and community gathering. The beautiful ambiance, the stunning gallery walls, and the welcoming energy proved that this venue is exactly what the neighborhood has been waiting for.

It was only fitting to christen this incredible new space by uplifting Deaunte. Fresh off his announcement as a Seattle Pride 2026 Grand Marshal and the brilliant force behind We Live In Color, Deaunte is a true pillar of our city. Seeing the room packed with love, laughter, and deep gratitude was a beautiful reminder of the impact he has on all of us.

How You Can Support:

Explore the Space: See what’s coming up next, book a tour, and support this amazing new venue by visiting www.ColmanCommons.com


Huge congratulations to Ashleigh and the entire Colman Commons team on a spectacular launch. Here is to the first of many unforgettable nights in the space!