When Circling Seattle Sports host Charles Hamaker first entered the Black Media Matters Studio in the Winter of 2021, he was wide-eyed with anticipation and wonder at the resources available to him. The podcast host had been working on a show called Circling Seattle Sports, and thanks to O’Dea Classmate Omi Salisbury he saw an opportunity to take his work to the next level. Through a partnership with Converge Media, Circling Seattle Sports has since become one of the top outlets for coverage of Seattle’s nine professional sports teams as well as a number of college and high school programs in the area.

This is due in large part to Hamaker’s dedication to his craft and his passion for ensuring every team gets a high level of coverage.

“When I created Circling Seattle Sports, the plan was always to have the same amount of coverage for each team that called the Emerald City home, whether it was the Seahawks and their following or ensuring that the women's sports teams, the Storm and Reign, got the spotlight that they deserved,” Hamaker said. “Nobody in the city is giving ALL of the teams the same spotlight, and certainly not in the level that we're doing so on the minor-league affiliate/semi-pro level here as well.”

Hamaker says that the impact of Converge Media on his growth and show cannot be overstated. He was present as Converge was presented with the NATAS NW Governor’s Award at the Northwest Emmys in 2022, and marks that moment as a cornerstone in his growth.

“Being in the room with journalists and media personalities from around the great state of Washington, and the surrounding states as well, was big in it's own right, but to see the people that I see put in so much work here at Converge get honored for their dedication was special,” Hamaker said. “The goal since then has been to get back to that stage but to bring hardware home for Circling Seattle Sports with the stories of the athletes and organizations that we can tell. “

With a strong focus on storytelling and analysis, the weekly show Circling Seattle Sports is well on its way to being awarded in its own right. Hamaker and his team have also built up a steady following on social media through their coverage of games and current events on @CirclingSports on Twitter.

Hamaker says that bringing his personal voice and highlighting who he is as a host is one thing which has benefitted him greatly. He offered the following advice to those looking to break into the industry.

Be yourself. It's said often and might even be overstated, but bringing your personality and your light to this space is incredibly valuable. There are numerous outlets and personalities that will read you statistics and general headlines from these sports teams in our area, what will always stick out is the drive you have to create and the personality you bring to breath life into your work. Be yourself, be unique, and work hard,” Hamaker said.

He also said he aims to continue to get better in front of the camera as he and his team work to find new and exciting ways to uplift the teams and athletes of the Emerald City.

You can follow along with Circling Seattle Sports on Twitter @CirclingSports and check out past episodes on their page