Our Back2Besa crew was at the Empowering Youth and Families Outreach Summer Literacy Academy at Holly Park Community Church on Thursday, August 17th. The eight-week program focuses both on academic and social growth, providing students with an opportunity to fill in gaps, make up for academic loss, and get ahead for the upcoming school year.

“Entrepreneurship can be hard and sometimes you don’t think about taking care of yourself.” - Shae Frichette, Co-Owner and Winemaker at Frichette Winery.

Let’s talk about what’s on Back2BESA tonight! For starters we continue to celebrate the culture and check in at The Next 50 Hip Hop concert and celebration, plus we recap DAME DOLLA’s listening party that happened in Protland at the Roseland Theatre. We recap what happened at Doug Baldwin’s annual community BBQ,we highlight Seattle’s A 4 Apple Learning Centr for National Black Business Month, we bring you a new segment called the NW Connect as we highlight Our Legacy harvested which is based in Portland we have some really dope Youth Unfiltered segments as we relive Rise Above hosting sports fest over at the Seattle U Campus, we head over the Rainer Playfield for Big Day of Play, and we hight ligh

The Mariners are back in town and are the hottest they’ve been all year, but they’re not the only ones bringing the heat at T-Mobile Park. Besa Gordon checked in with Executive Chef Javier Rosa to hear about some new food offerings at Edgar’s Cantina that you should be sure to check out if you’re heading to the ballpark this week.

Welcome to A 4 Apple Learning Center. Our Trae Holiday stopped by to chat with Co-Owner and Teacher Appollonia Washington (Miss Apple) for #NationalBlackBusinessMonth to hear about the work being done at the center as she seeks to inspire the next generation through early learning and literacy.

“What I wish people would know about my generation is that while we’re stubborn, we’re also fighters,” - Actor, Dancer and Spoken Word artist Harlem Yarbrough said.

“My pieces of advice would be to come in with humility, enjoy your passion, and be ready to work,” NBA Champion Channing Frye said.

The Vivid Matter Collective partnered with Friends of Waterfront Seattle to create an immersive art installation to honor the origins and legacy of Hip Hop culture called “Subway Cypher”. The piece is located in Occidental Park, and you can check it out until September 29th.

Our Besa Gordon traveled down to the Rose City to check in with some Black-owned businesses for #NationalBlackBusinessMonth. While there, she stopped by Trap Kitchen PDX ahead of Dame D.O.L.L.A.’s listening party at the Roseland Theater. 

“My advice for people coming into any space is to keep an eye out for the people that are doing the thing that you want to do.” - Tiquette Bramlett, Founder of Our Legacy Harvested.

Last week, members of Seattle’s art community including Vivid Matter Collective gathered at the Black Lives Matter Mural on Capitol Hill for their annual letter repainting as well as creating second installation honoring the life of Elijah Lewis.

In case you missed it, on episode 8 of Back2Besa on FOX 13 Seattle, we're celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop with the Friends of Waterfront Seattle's LABELS Fashion show and the Subway Cypher art opening, we take a road trip to Portland to visit Trap Kitchen PDX, and you'll get to see what's been happening with the Rainier Beach Remodel, we go to Cap Hill as community honored the life of Elijah L Lewis, it's the 3rd Thursday so we're getting tips on what to do around the city from Traveling While Black, we catch up with Harlem from Acts On Stage for Youth Unfiltered and more!

his week on show, we're celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop with the Friends of Waterfront Seattle's LABELS Fashion show and the Subway Cypher art opening, we take a road trip to Portland to visit Trap Kitchen PDX, and you'll get to see what's been happening with the Rainier Beach Remodel, we go to Cap Hill as community honored the life of Elijah L Lewis, it's the 3rd Thursday so we're getting tips on what to do around the city from Traveling While Black, we catch up with Harlem from Acts On Stage for Youth Unfiltered and more.

This week, Converge Media family member and National PBS host Jay Martin Jr. makes his FOX 13 Seattle debut on Back2Besa during Besa’s weekly affirmation segment. Martin has been spreading love and joy in the community through his weekly Feel Good Friday segments, which you can find on our Instagram, and now he’s set to bring that inspiration to Besa’s show.

Besa Gordon brought out the star power for her latest edition of #NeverHaveIEver, and took a swing at something new by picking up a golf club for the first time. She joined former Husky and Seahawks Receiver Jermaine Kearse at his indoor golf business Evergreen Golf Club to learn the game and test out her swing.

QueenCare Owner Monika C. Mathews spoke with Besa Gordon about the importance of leading by example and the ways she’s using her business to influence the community to focus on self-care on multiple levels.

Seahawks legend Doug Baldwin continues to make a major impact in the greater Seattle community. Our Besa Gordon sat down with Baldwin at his Family First Community Center in Renton to hear about the exciting plans he has and the inspiration behind his decision to have it built.

On Wednesday, students from Rainier Avenue Radio’s Creative Arts Digital Media Academy visited our #BlackMediaMatters Studio. While there, they met with Back2Besa host Besa Gordon to hear about the importance of Black media as well as learn what it takes to be a media professional. They also got to hold Converge’s Emmy Award and sign the studio wall.

The South Sound community now has their own festival celebrating culture, music, and entrepreneurship. The South Sound Music Festival, which began last year, brings good music and festival vibes to the Tacoma area.

This year’s Umoja Fest Parade was filled with memorable moments, good vibes, and a showcase of community from around the Central District and beyond.