At the Scope Screenings Film Festival, creativity took center stage once again at the SIFF Egyptian Theater in Seattle. Held on the last Tuesday of every month from June through December, Scope Screenings is a hub for filmmakers, producers, and creatives to showcase their work on the big screen. During the recent "Wacky Tacky Night," attendees witnessed an array of films and videos that pushed boundaries and sparked conversations.

The GSBA Economic Development Conference is a pivotal gathering that reflects the organization’s commitment to fostering small business growth and economic vitality in Seattle.

Africatown Community Land Trust is making a significant impact on Seattle's Central District by expanding affordable housing and preserving Black cultural heritage. The February 2022 groundbreaking for Africatown Plaza marked a turning point for the neighborhood, showcasing the community's ability to "imagine, design, and build solutions for the problems that we face." 

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the South Seattle Emerald hosted a vibrant community event that highlighted its pivotal role in providing authentic representation and news to the local population. The Emerald has been instrumental in uplifting the voices of South Seattle and addressing the issues that matter most to its residents.

Wa Na Wari's annual Walk the Block event once again brought the Central District to life, showcasing a celebration of Black art, culture, and community spirit. The two-day gathering invited attendees to explore the historic neighborhood, experiencing diverse art installations and live performances along every block.

Brad Finegood recently stopped by The Day With Trae, hosted this week by Besa Gordon, to discuss overdose prevention. Finegood is a strategic advisor for King County and leads the overdose prevention efforts for Public Health, leveraging his extensive experience in the field.

Finegood began by acknowledging the significant changes in recent years, noting the convergence of the pandemic and a shifting drug supply around 2019-2020. He observed a dramatic rise in synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl. 

Beniam Yetbarek recently visited The Day With Trae, hosted this week by Besa Gordon, to talk about the Art Walk at KOLORS and his activism through visual storytelling. Yetbarek is a digital media artist and manages his online portfolio, B.Y. Visuals.

Yetbarek is one of the first few Black artists to host Art Walk in Pioneer Square. The show opened on Thursday, June 6, and attracted over 200 attendees.

Recently, Kelvin Peprah appeared on The Day With Trae, hosted by guest host Besa Gordon, to discuss several vital issues impacting the BIPOC community. Peprah is a licensed mental health therapist who runs Peprah Counseling.

Peprah began the conversation by addressing the topic of imposter syndrome.

Out of a group of 300, just 13 were selected, and among those 13, Tiffany Wilson got her start.

Wilson is a singer-songwriter, who has worked in LA, Japan, and Seattle. She has been part of numerous bands and has also worked as a solo artist. Most recently, she appeared as "Madame Z" in Teatro ZinZanni, a circus dinner theater that originated in Seattle's Lower Queen Anne neighborhood and has since expanded to San Francisco and Chicago.

Recently, Stephanie Morales stopped by The Day With Trae, hosted this week by Besa Gordon, to discuss the importance of holding Black spaces. Morales is the founder of Made Space, an innovative Art, Culture, and Business Hub that launched in early 2021. 

Made Space aims to connect emerging Black creatives and entrepreneurs with essential resources, space, knowledge, and visibility. 

A creative force in Seattle's fashion scene and beyond, Akia Ronai has carved out a distinguished career as a personal stylist, a fashion engineer, and a businesswoman. Her portfolio includes singers India Arie, Choklate, and Converge's very own Besa Gordon among her list of styled personalities. Recently, Ronai joined Gordon on Back2Besa to unveil a collection of spring essentials curated by her aimed to upgrade anyone's outfit with a colorful blend of comfort and style, offering a glimpse into the latest trends set to redefine wardrobes this season.

Converge's Besa Gordon, the host of Back2Besa, recently joined Trae Holiday on The Day with Trae to discuss her recent film, Sankofa Theater: Inscape Finale, which premiered on Fox 13 last month. This documentary, produced in collaboration with Converge Media, underscored the legacy of Sankofa Theatre, a space of creativity and empowerment cofounded by Teme Wokoma and the late Elijah L. Lewis. Nestled in Seattle's Central District within the Inscape Arts Building, Sankofa Theatre provided a much-needed platform for Black artists and storytellers to illuminate the stage with their voices and perspectives before closure last year due to financial constraints and external pressures from fellow tenants.

As 2024 begins, a busy year lies ahead for Seattle's eight professional sports teams. Keeping track of those teams and more is Charles Hamaker, host of Circling Seattle Sports, who recently has stopped by Back2Besa and The Day with Trae to talk about the Winter Classic and the CSS team.