The Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas marked a major milestone at McCaw Hall last year, celebrating 25 years of amplifying Black brilliance within Seattle’s cultural scene. The event, titled “Food is Art: Black in Time,” brought together the community for a unique benefit that fused culinary creativity with artistic expression, featuring Back2Besa guest host Deaunte Damper.

More than a fundraiser, the evening was an homage to the chefs, mixologists, and artists who are redefining Black excellence in the region. Since its founding in 1999, the CD Forum has been instrumental in creating essential platforms for Black and BIPOC creatives, ensuring their contributions to performance, visual arts, and storytelling remain a foundational element of the Pacific Northwest’s evolving narrative.