Day two of Converge Media’s Morning Update Show at the Paramount Theater featured a comprehensive look at Seattle Theatre Group’s programming, updates on news around the city with Justin Carder and a special sit-down with Jerry Brewer of the Washington Post. It was also highlighted by two electrifying musical performances courtesy of Shakiah and Cool Nutz.

Carder spoke about some hot topics in the city, including vaccine requirements at clubs and the recall Sawant initiative. A main focus for him, though, was the results of his ranked-choice voting survey in which readers were asked to fill out a poll as if they were using a ranked-choice system for Mayor. 

“Completely unscientific, but the thing is to watch the demonstration of how ranked-choice voting plays out,” Carder said. “In this demonstration, the top vote-getter in total gross votes doesn’t end up going through.”

Carder said while it may add a level of confusion, he thinks the ability to give candidates a more representative chance of going through the primary could potentially outweigh the drawbacks. 

He also mentioned that the Compassion Seattle initiative will likely be included on the November ballot after controversy surrounding the signatures required. He said the organizers turned in nearly double the 30,000 signatures required after seeing a record number of signatures rejected. 

We also spoke with prominent Washington Post Sports Columnist Jerry Brewer about his career and work with the National Association of Black Journalists. He said the organization, which started back in 1975 with 44 members, now features over 4,000 members. He said the Seattle chapter is also growing. 

“We’re reaching out to every journalist and communicator in the Black community and saying ‘we want you to be a part of us’,” Brewer said. “This isn’t about walls, who works where, none of that. We want to be able to get anyone who is in the business of truth-seeking.”

Brewer also talked about an SABJ fundraiser featuring KIRO 7’s Jesse Jones interviewing Seattle TV legend Connie Thompson about her experience in the industry. The event will take place on Saturday, August 14th at 2 pm and cost $10 per ticket. 

“Connie gave 46 years to the TV industry in Seattle, with the last 35 years as a consumer advocate,” Brewer said. “Just a legend and a real trailblazer.”

The show also featured STG’s Chief Programming Officer Adam Zacks, who discussed the organization’s commitment to intentional programming. 

“It’s not just about who you’re putting on the stage, it’s about who’s in the audience as well,” Zacks said. “You can’t just say we’re the theater for the people, you have to create real relationships in order to send a signal that we really are open for everybody.”

Zacks said STG is striving to create an environment where everyone in the city can come and enjoy representative programming. 

The show concluded with performances by Shakiah and Cool Nutz. The performers brought their energy to Converge’s live audience, which you can join by clicking here. 

The full performances are available below.