Dianna Kennedy is a woman of many facets. Between being the reigning Mrs. Washington Curvé 2025 and a committed wife and mother of seven children, she owns and operates a full-service salon and spa, The Makeup Within Beauty Studios in Milton. 

Myesha Mitchell's journey is one of resilience, purpose, and community. In a recent interview on "The Day With Trae" with guest host Deaunte Damper, Myesha shared her inspiring story and the driving force behind her business, My Time For Massage.

Elijah Baker, a Transformation Coach and Master Personal Trainer, recently shared his insights on fitness, nutrition, and mindset in an insightful interview on "The Day With Trae" with guest host Deaunte Damper. With over 16 years of experience in the fitness industry and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Eastern Washington University, Elijah, the owner of Always Winning Fitness, brought a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. He emphasized that his mission is to help the community win by transforming lives both mentally and physically.

For Patt Butler Lathan, quitting is never an option. As the sole operator of Legacy Hair and Beauty, a one-stop beauty supply store in Hillman City, she runs her business with unfiltered determination to inspire and serve her family and community. 

Crystals have long been revered for their beauty and perceived metaphysical properties. In recent years, there's been a surge of interest in crystal healing and collecting, and it's wonderful to see Black-owned businesses shining in this space. These shops offer not only a stunning array of crystals but also a deeper connection to spirituality and community.

#SupportBlackBusiness - Besa Gordon has a long history with Jerk Shack Kitchen—literally from day one! She was the very first customer when they opened their Central District location, and since then, she’s been a loyal supporter of Chef Trey Lamont’s mouthwatering Caribbean-inspired dishes. So when Chef Trey invited her back to try something new, she was all in.

In a recent interview on The Day With Trae, Zue Sawtell, the owner of Defined Salon in South Seattle, shared her inspiring journey in the hair industry and her passion for community. With nearly 20 years of experience, Zue's story is one of dedication, creativity, and a deep understanding of the importance of hair as a part of our identity.

#SupportBlackBusiness - Hey Black Seattle, a hub connecting Black residents of central Puget Sound with community organizations and businesses, launched its inaugural "Let's Pull Up!" Community Meetup Tour this month. The first stop on the tour was The Scene in South Park, a Black-owned coffee shop serving up more than just coffee.

#SupportBlackBusiness - As long as Seattle stays hungry, Nita Jackson will be whipping up a batch of her famous five-cheese mac and cheese, a crowd favorite at her pop-up restaurant and private catering business JJ’s House of Soul.

#SupportBlackBusiness - In a moment of joyful solidarity and support in Black History Month, three Black woman-owned businesses came together at The Postman in Seattle’s Central District on Thursday to launch their new candle collaboration called “Together.” 

#SupportBlackBusiness - Caribbean hands sifting through Washington soil represent the cultural intersection at YES MA! Backyard Farm, a small family farm in Puyallup.

Besa Gordon appeared on Good Day Seattle with Erin Mayovsky to discuss a special collaboration for Black History Month. The segment focused on the "Together Candle," a project that brought together three Black-women-owned businesses. Noir Lux Candle Bar created the candle, Jesse Lipscomb designed it, and you can purchase your candle and ship it to a loved one from The Postman.

By Besa Gordon - ☕ #SupportBlackBusiness Coffee lovers, this one’s for you! Let's talk about The Station Coffee Shop, a Black and Latino-owned gem in Seattle's Columbia City—literally right across from the light rail 🚆. You might recognize this spot from Back2Besa when we highlighted 3 Black-owned coffee shops, and trust me, it's STILL a whole vibe.

#SupportBlackBusiness - Founder of Intentionalist, Laura Clise, discusses Intentionalist's mission to support diverse local businesses, the Buy Black Card initiative, and Black History Month collaborations with Seattle sports teams to promote intentional spending in black-owned establishments.

#SupportBlackBusiness - Catrice Dennis, the self-proclaimed melanated Miss Frizzle, operates her mobile classroom Teaching with Love and Care (TLC) from a shuttle bus based in Federal Way. With the help of her daughter Asiyah Davis, Dennis brings her passion for nature and experiential learning to young children and parents who struggle with aspects of traditional education.

#SupportBlackBusiness One of the businesses that recently reached out for a Black Business Uplift was Noir Lux Candle Bar, a Black-owned candle-making experience in Downtown Seattle. Besa Gordon, Trae Holiday, DeAunte Damper, and Takiyah “T Dub” Ward—stopped by for some team building and to show love to a thriving local business.

The Black Owned Business Excellence (BOBE) symposium was a resounding success, and DeAunte Damper, host of "We Live in Color" on Converge Media, was in the heart of it.  Not only did he experience the energy of Black excellence and entrepreneurship, but he also received the Elijah L. Lewis Community Advocate Award.

The Black Owned Business Excellence Symposium (BOBE) was a resounding success, focusing on Black excellence, business, and elevation. The event provided valuable resources and tools for Black business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, including training sessions and networking opportunities.

Tucked behind a fluorescent mural of fruits and beaches is Taste of the Caribbean and Red Lounge, a vibrant restaurant and bar committed to bringing authentic Jamaican culture to Seattle’s Central District. 

In his interview with Trae Holiday, La’Keith Asphy owner of Presidential Transportation shared the inspiring story of his transportation business's expansion, speaking about the pride of owning commercial vehicles with his name on them, a rarity among Black business owners. Asphy detailed his company's growth from a small limo service to a fleet including luxury coaches and party buses.