Telling Better Stories the Converge Media Way
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• 10/5/2630 Years of Strength: The Bull Stewart Powerlifting Classic Returns to Alki Beach
The annual Bull Stewart Alki Beach Powerlifting Classic recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades as the Pacific Northwest’s premier and longest-running outdoor powerlifting event. Founded by Bull Stewart and his wife to support their family and promote local fitness, the initiative has expanded from a neighborhood endeavor into a major institution. Today, the program encompasses two fitness centers and trains athletes ranging from ages 12 to 90.
Beyond physical endurance and record-setting lifts, the event brings together a supportive, family-like community. Powerlifter Jessi “Warrior” Allen-Garibaldi praised the inclusive environment, which welcomes lifters of all backgrounds and physical abilities, including elders, amputees, and people with hip replacements.
A priority of Bull Stewart's mission is giving back to the community through youth development and drug-free athletics. Partnering with organizations like the Amateur Athletic Union, the program has guided numerous young athletes toward winning state and world titles while earning college scholarships. By instilling values of hard work and consistency, the event continues to leave a lasting impact on future generations.
Learn more about Bull Stewart and the Stewart Performance Center at stewartperformancecenter.com
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• 9/28/26Excellence In Advocacy: Black Women Leaders Gather to Build Sustainable Political Power
Nearly one hundred Black women, community leaders, elders, and youth recently gathered for Excellence in Advocacy 2026 at the Mt. Baker Community Club, marking a convergence dedicated to honoring grassroots service, intergenerational solidarity, and long-term political power.
Organized by Colorful Communities founder Emijah Smith, Excellence In Advocacy celebrated the unsung heroines who pour into their neighborhoods daily, like community organizer Mary Smith, Elder and former State Representative Dawn Mason, and Rev. Harriett Walden. Blending holistic care like acupuncture and sound baths with strategic legislative discussions, the event exemplified how sustainable activism requires both community healing and organized action.
Reflecting the spirit of Sankofa, Jackie Vaughn of Black Women Empowerment for Life and Liberation (BWELL) highlighted an intergenerational room united to build political power. Community organizer Mary Flowers emphasized that movement work is not simply about passing a baton, but carrying it together.
Other speakers included Therapy Fund Foundation founder Ashley McGirt-Adair, Community Day Center for Children Director Lois Martin, spoken word artist Monique Franklin, and community advocates Carol Mensah, Teroshuah Thomas, and LeJayah Washington.
Anchored by Mason's moving declaration that the room represented "our ancestors' wildest dream," the gathering was both a sanctuary and a launching pad for ongoing action. As Emijah Smith made clear, Excellence in Advocacy 2026 went beyond celebration, unifying the community to wield their collective power for good.
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• 9/22/26My Time For Massage Partners with BWELL Seattle to Support Black Women
When Black women are supported to rest and heal, entire communities flourish.
Those words were abundantly clear at the final gathering of the "Black Women Are Worthy Of Wellness" project, an 8-week program designed by Myesha Mitchell, owner of My Time For Massage. Through weeks of dedicated massage therapy and mind-body care, Myesha provided participants with a safe, sacred space to release stored stress and embrace physical renewal.
This vision was brought to life in collaboration with BWELL Seattle and Executive Director Jackie Vaughn. By offering institutional support, funding, and strategic partnership, BWELL Seattle helped amplify My Time For Massage's grassroots work, proving what is possible when community leaders unite to prioritize maternal and community health.
This intimate dinner was held at Colman Commons, a Black woman-owned and operated art gallery and event space in downtown Seattle. From the flower bar to the shared stories around the table, every detail honored the beauty, strength, and vulnerability of the cohort.
Rest is continuous, wellness is a community effort, and Black women are forever worthy of both.
Learn more about My Time for Massage at mytimeformassage.com
Looking to book a space for your upcoming event? Check out Colman Commons for all your event space needs at colmancommons.com
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• 9/2/26Bloodworks NW Hosts Blood Drive At The Northwest African American Museum
Besa Gordon recently tapped in from The Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) where Bloodworks Northwest was hosting a community blood drive. The event encouraged active community involvement to address medical mistrust and low participation rates among Black blood donors.
Bloodworks NW’s research revealed that while 3% of the general population donates blood annually, that number drops to just 1% for the Black community, largely due to a lack of trust in the medical system.
The study also highlighted a major avenue for change: Black donors are twice as likely to donate blood if asked personally by someone they know. According to Bloodworks NW, if all the organization's current donors donated just one more time, blood shortages in their service area would be eliminated.
For many first-time donors, the screening process itself can be an eye-opening health check. Colman Commons Executive Director Ashleigh McCurdy stopped by the blood drive and shared that she gained comprehensive knowledge of her blood health, including low iron levels—invaluable medical information.
Increasing participation among Black women is incredibly important for finding diverse blood matches, especially for people with rare blood types who rely on precise transfusions. Bloodworks NW is actively sharing this data with other blood centers across the country to collectively lift participation rates.
Once you show up, the process is seamless, supportive, and ultimately saves lives. Organizations and community members looking to make a difference can visit their website at bloodworksnw.org to learn more.
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• 4/27/26Dignity for Divas Opens New South Lake Union Headquarters
Besa Gordon recently visited the new Dignity for Divas headquarters in South Lake Union to learn about how the organization is expanding its approach to women transitioning from homelessness to self-sufficiency.
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• 4/6/26The BIPOC Health & Wellness Fair Makes Accessible Paths Toward Quality Healthcare
Last year, Besa Gordon visited the second annual BIPOC Health & Wellness Fair at the East Side Community Center in Tacoma, produced by Abundance Health LLC.
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• 3/22/26The Trap Lab: Cultivating Community, Culture, and Wellness in Federal Way
The Trap Lab, a fitness studio in Federal Way, Washington, is celebrating its fourth year of operation, built on a vision to create a culturally relevant space for wellness. This Black women-owned business has prioritized the emotional, physical, and mental well-being of its community.
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• 10/29/25Building a Decade of Family Through Fitness At SpoonFed Training
SpoonFed Training recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a grand opening, marking the second chapter for the Tukwila fitness center after outgrowing its previous location. The opening brought together SpoonFed’s devoted community to commemorate this monumental milestone, with love to share about the organization’s impact on the Black community.
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• 10/28/25Walk the Block: Fostering Community and Connection, One Step at a Time
Seattle’s Central District was alive with Black artistic excellence last month when Wa Na Wari put on its annual Walk the Block Festival. Walk the Block transformed the historic streets into a celebration of Black art and culture through moving expression and commitment to letting local artists shine brightly.
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• 8/27/25Odessa Brown Clinic Returns to the Heart of the Central District
The recent ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of the Odessa Brown Children's Clinic in the Central District was a powerful homecoming for the community.
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• 8/6/25Cierra Sisters Health Fair Celebrates Community, Wellness, and Legacy
The 11th Annual Cierra Sisters Wellness on the Block Health Fair was a powerful celebration of holistic health, community, and the enduring legacy of founder Bridgette Hempstead.
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• 8/4/25Tacoma's BIPOC Health & Wellness Fair: A One-Stop Shop for Community Well-being
Besa Gordon takes viewers to the second annual BIPOC Health & Wellness Fair at the East Side Community Center in Tacoma, produced by Abundance Health LLC. The event aimed to provide essential health and wellness services to King, Pierce, and the surrounding counties, offering a one-stop shop for attendees.
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• 7/11/25Angela Poe Russell to Host Mental Health Special
Community Voices returns for 2025 with an essential focus on navigating mental health crises. Angela Poe Russell hosts this special conversation, delving into the critical and urgent need for accessible mental health care.
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• 7/3/25D Smoke and Little Miss Flint Spark Dialogue at "Change Movement" Event
When The Change Movement rolled into Tacoma’s Eastside Community Center, it felt like a family reunion with purpose. Hosted by Brian Gatewood’s Innovative Change Makers, the day brought together powerful voices—D Smoke, Little Miss Flint, and Jerome Foster II—for conversations that hit deep.
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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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• 5/28/25Celebrating Health, Hope, and Community at Rainier Center
Celebrating community, health, and hope! The Community Health and Wellness Fair at Rainier Community Center on May 17, 2025, was a powerful testament to resilience and collective well-being.
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• 5/19/25Healing Through Juice: Rhonda Faison's Journey to Entrepreneurship
#SupportBlackBusiness - Rhonda Faison, the founder of Rojo Juice, had a path to becoming a business owner that was far from linear. Initially on a pre-med track, she shifted gears after her brother became a quadriplegic, prompting her to explore alternative ways to help people heal.
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• 5/19/25I AM ENOUGH by Besa Gordon
I AM ENOUGH — Besa Gordon's powerful spoken word piece, recorded live at “Dear Sis” in Spokane, Washington, is a profound declaration of self-acceptance and personal empowerment. The poem confronts societal pressures and internalized criticism, challenging the narrative that individuals, particularly Black women, must conform to external expectations.
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• 5/9/25Dear Sista: Love, Vulnerability, and Power in Spokane
#BlackMaternalHealth - Last month, Besa Gordon found herself in Spokane, where one experience stood out: Dear Sista. This poetry night, curated by Stephanie Courtney of The Shades of Motherhood Network, was held at The Rose Garden during Black Maternal Health Week.
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• 4/27/25The Trap Lab: Where Fitness Meets Community and Liberation
#SupportBlackBusiness - Jacqueline Herrera, known affectionately as "Royal Woman" from her skating days, lights up The Trap Lab in Federal Way with her infectious energy and love for fitness. With nearly three decades of experience under her belt, she's not just an instructor; she's a guide, gently leading people of all levels into the joy of line dancing and kickboxing.
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• 4/29/25The School of Spectrum Dance Theater: Dance For All
Happy International Dance Day! 🎉 Let's take a trip down memory lane to 2023 when we captured the incredible energy of The School of Spectrum Dance Theater. Did you know their motto is 'dance for all'? 🤩
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• 4/17/25Northwest Naturals Expo Rewind: Reliving the 8th Annual Event
#RewindWithBesa - A look back at the eighth annual Northwest Naturals Expo in Renton, Washington. Curated by Kariba Jack, the three-day event featured a brunch, a youth step competition, live hairstyling, makeup applications, performances, and a vegan food booth. It all started from a simple idea and blossomed into a space to celebrate natural beauty and wellness.
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• 4/15/25Beyond Beauty: Dianna Kennedy's Vision for Community and Confidence
#SupportBlackBusiness - Dianna Kennedy is not just a business owner; she's a force of inspiration. As the owner and operator of The Makeup Within Beauty Studios in Milton, Washington, and Mrs. Washington Curve' 2025, Dianna's journey is one of faith, family, and fierce entrepreneurship.
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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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• 3/20/25Celebrating Black Joy on this International Day of Happiness
Celebrating International Day of Happiness with this dose of pure Black Joy. May we all find space for celebration, love, and living. #InternationalDayOfHappiness #BlackJoy
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• 3/17/25Pass The Yams: BLKBRY Workshop Centers Blackness in Reproductive Justice
#ReproductiveJustice - Jazmin Williams is the Founding Director of BLKBRY and BLKBRY Community, a reproductive justice organization serving Black families in Washington State. At the Burien Community Center, BLKBRY recently hosted a "Pass The Yams" workshop led by Raven Freeborn, a Healing Justice practitioner. The workshop focused on policy, advocacy, and centering Blackness within the reproductive justice movement.
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• 1/7/25Body Mechanic's MixxedFit: A Dance Party for Your Health
MixxedFit is making a significant impact on community wellness, thanks to its dynamic blend of dance and fitness. Led by the energetic Deon "Body Mechanic" Abdullah, this program offers a fun and effective way for people of all ages and abilities to get moving.
