What started over a decade ago as a birthday bash has grown into something way bigger: a cultural celebration that pulls folks from Cali to Canada—and even the East Coast—all to turn up with the Northwest. This year’s party brought out a crowd that came to dance, connect, and celebrate with style.

Commissioned by ACT Theatre and first seen as a staged reading at ACT’s inaugural New Works Northwest Festival in 2023, Golden is set after the Great Recession of 2008. Morris Golden, fighting to save his laundromat, finds an unexpected source of hope in a broken change machine with mysterious powers.

With immense pride and passion, Deaunte Damper is kicking off the third season of his show “We Live In Color” on Thursday, April 17. The new season will highlight incredible authors, activists, and leaders of the Black LGBTQ+ community with a focus on policy, justice, and access. 

Ed Ewing's journey with biking is more than just a story of wheels and roads; it's a narrative deeply intertwined with community, social justice, and a lifelong passion ignited in childhood. Growing up in Minneapolis, Ewing's early experiences with biking around the city's lakes were formative. "I remember learning balance on my first bike, hitting every trash can in the alley," he fondly recalls. These weren't just playful moments but the beginnings of a lifelong connection to cycling, a connection that would later shape his career and mission.

For grandmother and granddaughter Tess and Miceala Thomas, their livelihood is more than a barbeque joint; it’s an homage to the generations that came before them. 

With nearly 150-year-old recipes concocted by Tess’ late mother Emma Thomas, the two women have led the iconic Emma’s BBQ with love and laughter for eight years in Columbia City.

Kendra Liddell, the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Central District Community Preservation and Development Authority (CDCPDA), is a name synonymous with service and dedication in Seattle's Central District. In a recent conversation with Trae Holiday, Liddell shared her journey from a passionate volunteer to a pivotal figure in community development.

In a society often focused on traditional college pathways, Federal Way High School in Washington state is carving a unique route for its students, one that leads directly to fulfilling and lucrative careers in the trades. Former State Representative Jesse Johnson, a community organizer and educator, is at the forefront of this initiative, emphasizing the importance of hands-on skills and mentorship for young people.

Katie Wilson, a long-time community organizer, has set her sights on the Seattle mayor's office, with a campaign heavily focused on addressing the city's pressing housing crisis. In a recent interview, Wilson outlined her vision, detailing how her years of grassroots activism have shaped her platform and her desire to bring a community-centric approach to city leadership.

Get ready, Seattle! Tonight, Saturday, April 12th at The Royal Room, music history comes alive as Vitamin D and Roc Phizzle go head-to-head in a tribute battle honoring the legendary producers J Dilla and Q-Tip. Doors open at 8 PM.

Exciting news from "The Day With Trae" show! Trae Holiday has earned an Emmy nomination for the show's intro, and the excitement is real. Trae shared her joy and gratitude in a call this morning for this incredible achievement.

This week on Back2Besa FOX SOUL, host Besa Gordon takes viewers on a deep dive into the heart of Seattle's Black culture at the historic Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center. From its origins as a synagogue in 1915 to its transformation into a community hub in the 1970s, Langston Hughes has stood as a beacon of creativity, resilience, and celebration in the Central District.

Earlier today, Besa Gordon made her weekly stop by Good Day Seattle and caught up with Erin Mayovsky. This week, she shined a spotlight on a project that’s transforming local communities: the Northwest Credible Messenger’s Barber & Beauty Shop Behavioral Health Project in partnership with the Community Reinvestment Project and the Washington State Department of Commerce. 

In October of 2021, Converge Media commissioned Seattle-based Poet & Author Chelsey Richardson to compose a spoken word piece to commemorate the launch of our Black Media Matters Studio in downtown Seattle and specifically to uplift our iconic interview wall, which was curated by the Black Heritage Society of Washington State and designed by Creative Lou.

Seattle's historic Pier 70 buzzed with excitement on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, as the city officially launched the AI House, a groundbreaking public-private partnership aimed at solidifying Seattle's position as the AI Hub of the United States. The initiative brings together the City of Seattle, AI2 (Allen Institute for AI), Ada Developers Academy, and the Washington State Department of Commerce.

On March 30, 2025, the Northwest African American Museum in Seattle’s Central District was filled with joy, reverence, and celebration as the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle Guild hosted its first annual Trailblazing Black Women in Washington State brunch.

SEATTLE, WA—Last month, AXIS Pioneer Square was transformed into a vibrant hub of artistic expression when The Feels Foundation presented its ninth annual art showcase, "TF9: Now + Later," on March 22, 2025. The event drew a diverse crowd eager to explore the themes of identity, self-discovery, and transformation through various artistic mediums.

During ETC Tacoma’s highly anticipated Spring Line launch, the already swaggy atmosphere got a sweet surprise—literally. As part of Women’s History Month, Back2Besa and FOX 13 Seattle teamed up with Molly Moon’s for a surprise pop-up, offering free scoops of ice cream, including a special vegan cookies and cream flavor created by Back2Besa host Besa Gordon.

Last month, inside the Seattle Storm Center for Basketball Performance, a conversation unfolded that went beyond Xs and Os. It was an exploration of leadership, resilience, and the profound impact of mentorship. I sat down with Noelle Quinn, the head coach of the Seattle Storm, to delve into her journey, her philosophy, and her vision for the future of the team and women in sports.

Clothes were secondary in the eyes of J. Raspberry, Owner of the Gold Vintage clothing brand, now referred to as Raspberry Hills, who is hosting a pop-up shop at T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners, this Saturday, April 5, from 1pm to 6pm.

Get ready for an electrifying episode of Back2Besa that's bursting with creativity, community, and conversation! This week, Besa Gordon welcomes you back with the soul-stirring poem "Still Golden" by the incredibly talented Chelsey Richardson, setting the perfect tone for National Poetry Month. Prepare to be moved by the power and beauty of spoken word as we kick things off in the Black Media Matters Studio.