For the second consecutive year, Converge Media and Back2Besa were honored to collaborate with Trap Kitchen PDX, JAM'N 107.5, Jus Family Records, and other incredible community organizations. Together, we provided a heartwarming Thanksgiving dinner, essential hygiene supplies, and other services to our Rose City neighbors in need.

Down I-5 in the Rose City, Melody Brown, a passionate entrepreneur and hairstylist, has created a haven for Black hair and beauty with her salon, L&M Hair Company. Melody's journey began in elementary school, where she faced teasing and insecurity about her hair, a common experience for many young Black girls navigating predominantly white spaces. Determined to take control of her narrative and embrace her natural beauty, she started practicing braiding on her own hair, discovering a hidden talent and an unshakeable passion that would ultimately shape her future.

Ezell's Famous Chicken, the popular Pacific Northwest fried chicken chain, is set to host its third annual R.U.B.B. Initiative Conference this August. The conference, created in collaboration with DoorDash and other partners, aims to uplift and empower Black business owners in Washington state.

L&M Hair Lounge, owned by Melody Brown, has quickly become a cornerstone of haircare in North East Portland, Oregon. Melody launched L&M as an online store in 2020 and expanded to her first salon in 2022. By 2023, she opened a second location, showcasing her dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. But the story doesn't end there.

Growth, development, leadership, and all the signs of future success are definitely things I found in my short time with the Rip City Remix a few weeks ago. The Remix is a new NBA G League team in Rip City (aka Portland, aka The Rose City) where players who are not quite ready for the bright lights of the NBA can literally develop their talents through a close partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Not long ago, Back2Besa and HITS 106.1 Seattle Host Besa Gordon hopped on the Amtrak to Portland, Oregon with her production team and Tanzanian Radio Host on MjiniFM Abby Plaatjes to tell some of the stories of Portland’s Black community.

What’s former NBA Champion Channing Frye up to now? We headed down to Portland to find out. Besa Gordon caught up with the hooper-turned-winemaker to hear about Chosen Family Wines and the way he’s turned his passion for wine into a business.

“My pieces of advice would be to come in with humility, enjoy your passion, and be ready to work,” NBA Champion Channing Frye said.

Our Besa Gordon traveled down to the Rose City to check in with some Black-owned businesses for #NationalBlackBusinessMonth. While there, she stopped by Trap Kitchen PDX ahead of Dame D.O.L.L.A.’s listening party at the Roseland Theater. 

“My advice for people coming into any space is to keep an eye out for the people that are doing the thing that you want to do.” - Tiquette Bramlett, Founder of Our Legacy Harvested.

We stopped at Mizzter Chuck's auto detail to hear from owner Marcus Windom. Windom said the name of the company came from his nickname ‘Mizzy’ as well as his legal first name of Charles. He’s been detailing cars for over two decades, and launched the mobile side of his service three years ago.

This week, we’re telling the stories of some Black-owned businesses in the Rose City. This is one of a series of Support Black Business segments in the coming weeks and months. Led by hip-hop legend Cool Nutz, our production crew spent time in Portland visiting local staples.

We stopped at The Black Mannequin to visit CEO Bryan Walden, who started the company in 2017 as he pursued his passion for fashion and clothing sales. Always an entrepreneur, Walden was looking for ways to expand his business horizons and did so when he opened the brick-and-mortar store in 2019.

This week, we’re telling the stories of some Black-owned businesses in the Rose City. This is one of a series of Support Black Business segments in the coming weeks and months. Led by hip-hop legend Cool Nutz, our production crew spent time in Portland visiting local staples.