Dianna Kennedy is a woman of many facets. Between being the reigning Mrs. Washington Curvé 2025 and a committed wife and mother of seven children, she owns and operates a full-service salon and spa, The Makeup Within Beauty Studios in Milton. 

For Patt Butler Lathan, quitting is never an option. As the sole operator of Legacy Hair and Beauty, a one-stop beauty supply store in Hillman City, she runs her business with unfiltered determination to inspire and serve her family and community. 

#SupportBlackBusiness - As long as Seattle stays hungry, Nita Jackson will be whipping up a batch of her famous five-cheese mac and cheese, a crowd favorite at her pop-up restaurant and private catering business JJ’s House of Soul.

#SupportBlackBusiness - Caribbean hands sifting through Washington soil represent the cultural intersection at YES MA! Backyard Farm, a small family farm in Puyallup.

#SupportBlackBusiness - Catrice Dennis, the self-proclaimed melanated Miss Frizzle, operates her mobile classroom Teaching with Love and Care (TLC) from a shuttle bus based in Federal Way. With the help of her daughter Asiyah Davis, Dennis brings her passion for nature and experiential learning to young children and parents who struggle with aspects of traditional education.

Tucked behind a fluorescent mural of fruits and beaches is Taste of the Caribbean and Red Lounge, a vibrant restaurant and bar committed to bringing authentic Jamaican culture to Seattle’s Central District. 

In his interview with Trae Holiday, La’Keith Asphy owner of Presidential Transportation shared the inspiring story of his transportation business's expansion, speaking about the pride of owning commercial vehicles with his name on them, a rarity among Black business owners. Asphy detailed his company's growth from a small limo service to a fleet including luxury coaches and party buses.

Deb Tuggle, President of Bite Me Inc., has spread cookie love since 1995. Since acquiring Bite Me Inc. in 2004, Deb’s business acumen and passion for baking have grown Bite Me Cookies into a company that produces between 14,000 and 17,000 cookies an hour!

Co-Owner of Pizza By Ruffin, Isaiah Ruffin sits down on The Day With Trae guest host Deontay Damper, to have a conversation on being the first black owned pizzeria in Washington State

Business owner Franchesca Vargas joins The Day with Trae to have a conversation with guest host Deontay Damper, discussing her PR management company Elevate’s mission is to empower and amplify the voices of local businesses, artist, community organizations and black/brown led nonprofits through exceptional PR and event planning services.

Jenefeness Franke, the Executive Officer of Black Owned Business Excellence (BOBE), recently joined Trae Holiday on "The Day With Trae" to discuss BOBE's collaborations with minority-owned businesses statewide to provide support and elevate them onto a broader platform.

Trae Holiday sat down with Sam Cho, the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Office of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, and Ollie Garrett, the President and CEO of Tabor 100. Both the City of Seattle and Tabor 100 are core partners in Seattle's Liberty Project, a program and component of Mayor Harrell's Downtown Activation Plan created in 2023 that focuses on aiding local businesses from underrepresented communities, particularly BIPOC, to grow in revenue and expand both business ventures and properties. 

There is a saying at Converge Media that "The uplift is real" and nothing epitomizes this phrase more than the consistent uplift of Black-owned businesses across our region by TraeAnna Holiday and her show The Day with Trae on Converge Media and Besa Gordon and her show Back2Besa on KCPQ FOX13 Seattle. Episode after episode there is a consistent and intentional uplift of Black-owned businesses across our region, especially Black woman-owned businesses.

Antonesha Jackson, Owner of Exclusive Boutique, is all about making people as fashionable as possible. Exclusive Boutique has unique clothing and styles that have been known to turn heads not only in the Emerald City but across the country. Jackson, a beloved community member, spoke on #FeelGoodFriday today about Exclusive Boutique, events, and how to uplift small business owners.

Monika C. Matthews, Director of Life Enrichment Group and owner of Queen Care, spoke about the importance of self-care and Black business ownership while updating the community about her group's upcoming event the Dash for Education/Community. This event is an annual spring fundraiser for the Life Enrichment Group, happening this Saturday, from 1-3 pm at 3702 South Hudson Street.

Seattle – Métier Brewing Company (MBC), Washington’s purpose-driven Black-owned craft brewery, will open a new taproom in Seattle’s Central District, as part of the company’s vision to build and foster community beyond its original Woodinville location. The new space, located at 2616 East Cherry Street, is slated to open February 2022, and will feature MBC’s award-winning beers alongside Japanese street food by Umami Kushi.

Last we sat down with Chef Trey Lamont to discuss his new spice rub, flavors, supporting black business, and his “why not me?” approach to entrepreneurship.