Tanzanian Media Personality and Author Abby Plaatjes Explores The Pacific Northwest
Recently, Award-Winning Radio Host on Mjini FM in Tanzania and Author of The Life In My Men Abby Plaatjes travelled to Seattle, Washington to spend time exploring the Pacific Northwest and promote her book. She teamed up with Back2Besa Host Besa Gordon to head to Portland, connected with Dr. Robin Beavers of the Portland Timbers and Thorns, met up with DJ OG One and even attended her first hockey game. She was also present at our company uplift at the Black Media Matters studio and visited local gems like TASWIRA.
“It was very exciting to be able to come and experience the city,” Plaatjes said. “Last time I was there, it was during COVID and only for 48 hours so it was great to be able to spend some more time taking it all in. Converge paints such a beautiful picture of the people in Seattle and so seeing that for myself was really amazing.”
Abby At The Converge Company Uplift
Plaatjes began her trip to Seattle by attending Converge’s The Uplift event. While there, she spoke about her book and connected with Reverend Harriett Walden, as well as the entire Converge team.
For Plaatjes, the trip was not only a chance to connect with the city but also with Converge Media. Plaatjes and founder Omari Salisbury worked together during Salisbury’s time in Africa, and the bond that formed has proved to be unbreakable.
“The sense of community that Omari has created through the eyes of Converge is definitely a space that I want to be a part of and be involved with,” Plaatjes said. “If you just look at the state of the world, the space of comfort has created is really a space that you want to be a part of right now.”
Abby Connects With Back2Besa Host Besa Gordon and Travels To Portland
The two radio hosts hopped on a train to the Rose City to link up with Dr. Robin Beavers, the VP of Community and Social Impact for the Portland Timbers and Thorns, as well as DJ OG One, the official DJ of the Portland Trailblazers.
See some highlights from their trip below
Photos by Portland photographer Dominique Whittaker on behalf of Converge Media.
Besa and Abby Go To The Kraken Game
Following their trip to Portland, Plaatjes and Gordon headed to Climate Pledge Arena for Abby’s very first hockey game. They watched the Kraken take on the Calgary Flames, and Abby loved every second of it.
Photos by Seattle photographer Jordan Somers on behalf of Converge Media
Abby Visits Cultural Gallery and Event Space TASWIRA
During her time in Seattle, Plaatjes tapped in at TASWIRA, a cultural art gallery and event space founded by Avery Barned. TASWIRA features African-made products and art in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. On the night Plaatjes visited, iconic Seattle poet Rajnii Eddins hosted a reading of his book ‘In The Coded Language Of This Mortal Tongue’.
Abby and Besa Join The Day With Trae
To wrap up Abby’s visit to Seattle, she and Besa joined Trae Holiday in the Black Media Matters Studio for The Day With Trae. On the show, they celebrated Gordon’s birthday and spoke about Abby’s book.
You can watch that episode below.
