On Monday, Africantown Community Land Trust held their annual’ Black Wall Street Market which is part of the The Summer of Soul Series. This year’s event brought life to the streets of 23rd and Jackson, where over 100 Black businesses gathered to celebrate and honor the rich history of thriving Black commercial centers throughout the country. This year's event once again transformed the area into Seattle's very own Black Wall Street, fostering a sense of community and pride.

The Black Wall Street Market was more than just a marketplace; it was a vibrant celebration of culture, history, and community. With the addition of Vibe Bingo and the Double Dutch Divas, attendees enjoyed a dynamic and engaging experience that highlighted the diversity and creativity of Black entrepreneurs.

During the event, Besa Gordon, host of Back2Besa, caught up with several influential community leaders and members. These included K. Wyking Garrett, President and CEO of Africatown Community Land Trust; Trae Holiday, host of The Day With Trae; Kiesha Garrison, Founder of Hey Black Seattle; and Darnesha Bowman, the Owner of Black Coffee Northwest. Each shared their insights and visions for empowering the Black community in Seattle and why events like Black Wall Street Seattle are so important.

The Black Wall Street Market is part of the broader Summer of Soul Series, which runs through the summer of 2024. This series includes a variety of events such as Reunion on Union, Juneteenth celebrations, and UmojaFest. Each event aims to celebrate Black culture, history, and unity, offering something for everyone in the community.

To learn more about the Summer of Soul Series and the Africatown Community Land Trust's initiatives, visit africatownlandtrust.org.

See the full segment tomorrow on Back2Besa at 10:30 pm pn FOX 13 Seattle and the replay Sunday at 10 am on FOX 13+

You can also watch Back2Besa anywhere in the nation with the FOX Local app on your smartphone or smart TV. Learn more here: bit.ly/watchfoxlocal

See more photos from this year’s Black Wall Street Market taken by Jordan Somers on behalf of Converge Media below: