Few things compare to the sense and soundness of family. At Converge Media, we’re lucky to have a family of our own, connected through the walls of the Black Media Matters Studio and a shared mission to tell better stories in our community. Before the year ended, we made sure to come together as one, celebrate our accomplishments, sing, dance, take some fly pics thanks to photographer Jordan Somers, and rejoice in each other’s energy and brilliance.

For us, family isn’t necessarily about shared blood, but about a shared commitment to uplifting Black stories and carrying our mission forward. It’s about dedicating ourselves not only to our craft and community we serve, but to each other, recognizing the integral role that each of our team members bring to the table. At Converge, we inspire each other simply by showing up, giving the gift of time, and taking that extra step to ensure all family members are elevated to the next level.

Our incredible talent Besa Gordon, Curtis Delgardo II, Trae Holiday, Deaunte Damper, and Takiyah “T-DUB” Ward are leaving 2025 with immense gratitude to you, the community they serve, for your unwavering support in helping them share the stories of some of the Northwest’s best and brightest minds. This year's accomplishments would not have been possible without the support of Converge Media co-founders Erik Kalligraphy and The Big O, Head of Production Alaia D’Alessandro, writer and producer Mead Gill, and our elite editing core including Emilio Dominguez who edited this video. We also thank cinematographer Paul Sanders for his immense impact in 2025 and for capturing this joyous family gathering.

Thank you to all of our partners, friends, and, of course, our community for allowing us to tell better stories and make the uplift real. The Black Joy journey continues into 2026.