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The Pulse of Portland: A Look Inside the City's Vibrant Nighttime

On a buzzing Friday night, Portland's Roseland Theater was the epicenter of an electrifying atmosphere, hosting a sold-out concert featuring the legendary Too Short and Portland's very own Cool Nutz. The lineup was stellar, with Mikey Vegas, Juma Blaq, DJ Fatboy, and Bad Habit setting the stage on fire, creating an unforgettable night for the city's live music aficionados.

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Photography, Back2Besa Omari Salisbury Photography, Back2Besa Omari Salisbury

PHOTOS - VIBE BINGO RnB + Hip-Hop Night

Last Saturday, Vibe Bingo took over Auburn for their RnB + HipHop edition as a line wrapped around the block with guests excited to play the classic game while catching up with friends and listening to their favorite R&B and Hip-Hop music. The event is taking back the stigma of Bingo not being “cool” while creating a fun and electric environment for locals to come out and have a good time.

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Photography, Back2Besa Omari Salisbury Photography, Back2Besa Omari Salisbury

PHOTOS - CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE + DIGNITY FOR DIVAS + ONE LOVE FRIDGE/PANTRY PROGRAM LAUNCH

Last month, Dignity for Divas celebrated a ribbon cutting in partnership with Champions of Change and One Love that launched a fridge and pantry program at the Diva Dream Academy in South Lake Union. — One Love utilized Champions of Change funding to purchase the necessary equipment to install the fridge and pantry needed for Dignity for Divas to nourish the families they serve, which will be stocked by Feeding Feasible Feast. PHOTOS: Adrian Sims - Create and Blend

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Breaking Borders: Seattle Artists Participate in Mexico City Art Week

Seattle artists are making impacts around the world. Recently, a group travelled to Mexico City for Mexico Art Week, a yearly event which brings together artists from all over the world to showcase their work. Led by Seattle artist Soulma Ayers, the group installed their work at Progreso #69.

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Watch Back2Besa Ep 34 Hosted By Besa Gordon

This Black History Month, let's take a moment to celebrate the diverse experiences that make Black history so rich. Back2Besa is reliving some of our favorite moments on the show, from golf lessons with former Seahawks legend Jermaine Kearse to taking Seattle Kraken's official DJ, DJ Trunks, to the zoo. We've also covered events like the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Northwest Chapter's Storytelling Conference, the Terrain Art Festival Pop Up in Spokane, and The Next 50 of Hip Hop celebration at KEXP. Join us in honoring Black history and promoting diversity and inclusion.

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How To Watch “Sankofa Theater Inscape Finale” Nationwide On The FOX Local App

Tonight at 7pm PST on FOX 13 Seattle and FOX 13 +, Back2Besa host Besa Gordon presents a new film telling the story of one of Seattle’s most precious Black cultural spaces. Sankofa Theater: Inscape Finale which goes inside the journey of the Sankofa Theater, from its mission to the fight to keep the Black-owned space alive. The film features founder Teme Wokoma alongside many of those who worked hard to create a safe and open space for Black artists in the city. In case you’re not able to watch FOX 13 Seattle on your TV, below are a few ways to watch the film live:

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Sankofa Theater Inscape Finale to air Commercial Free on FOX 13 and Nationwide on the FOX Local App

Converge Media’s latest film - Sankofa Theater: Inscape Finale - is set to air commercial free in primetime this Tuesday, February 27th at 7 pm on FOX 13 Seattle and nationwide on the FOX Local app. Produced by Back2Besa host Besa Gordon, the film takes a look at the impact of Seattle’s Sankofa Theater and the fight to save what has become an important space for Seattle’s Black artists.

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Besa Gordon Highlights Seattle’s Sankofa Theater In New Film and Primetime TV Special

Seattle’s Black Arts and Culture scene took a hit with the closing of the Sankofa Theater, a space created for Black artists and storytellers to share their talents with the world in Seattle’s Central District. The Theater, which was located at the Inscape Arts Building, was forced to close in September due to a lack of funding and a push from other tenants. While owner Teme Wokoma looks for a new space, Back2Besa host Besa Gordon took a deep dive into the remarkable story behind the theater and those who served as it’s driving forces.

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Watch Back2Besa Episode 33 Hosted By Besa Gordon

As we continue our Black History Month uplift, on episode 33 of Back2Besa, we highlight some of our favorite people we've met this season on the show, like Seattle's Tiffany Willison, who is playing Madam Z in Teatro Zinzanni, the Rose City Father, and Son DJ duo, DJ OG ONE, and DJ OG TOO.

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PREVIEW Episode 33 of Back2Besa hosted by Besa Gordon

Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate and share the stories of talented individuals. This week on #Back2Besa, we're highlighting some of our favorite people we've met this season. Stay tuned for this week's spotlight and catch up on past episodes at whereweconverge.com/back2besa or on the FOX Local App.

Back2Besa airs Saturdays at 10:30 pm on FOX 13 Seattle and replays Sundays at 10 am on FOX 13 +

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Harlem Globetrotters Takeover Climate Pledge Arena

The Harlem Globetrotters are more than just basketball players. They’re global icons of family entertainment. With over 90 years of breaking down barriers and acts of goodwill, the Globetrotters have entertained over 148 million fans in 123 countries. Last week, I had the pleasure of watching them take on The Washington Generals at Climate Pledge Arena, and as usual, they didn’t disappoint. From the slam dunk to the fast break, the Globetrotters have left their mark on the sport. And those who watch this play.

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Totem Star's Melodic Haven: Ground Zero Radio Spotlights a Free Music Haven for Youth

Excited to announce that youth-led radio station, Ground Zero Radio, will be joining us once a month right here on Back2Besa! Their goal is to connect local communities, amplify youth voices, and inspire new leaders. This week, Lucia Flores-Wiseman brings us a story about Totem Star, a new studio near the King Street Station that's FREE and open for youth ages 14-25. It's amazing to see a space where money isn't a barrier for young musicians to make their music.

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From Farmers Markets to Full Plates: Simply Soulful Café's Journey

Simply Soulful Café's newest location in the Central Area on 23rd and Jackson is the perfect place to go for some good old soul food to help take your mind off of the cold and, at times, gloomy weather here in Seattle. After relocating their restaurant to 23rd and Jackson, the new location offers twice the capacity of their original location in Madison Valley, with an upstairs meeting space, additional seating, and a parking garage.

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Embrace Fitness and Fun with Seattle's Double Dutch Divas!

Remember those fun P.E. days in elementary school when Double Dutch was the highlight of the class? Well, for those of us who miss those days, let us introduce you to Seattle's Double Dutch Divas! Founded in 2021 by Angie Mosley during the pandemic, Double Dutch Divas is a fantastic way to get out of the house, get in a good workout, and learn all about the sport of Double Dutch.

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Spoken-Word Magic: Reliving the Electric Vibes of The Griot Party Experience

The Griot Party Experience recognizes the legacy of Black Copper Brown and indigenous people in the Central District of Seattle and honors their contributions through hip-hop, spoken-word storytelling theater. On January 13th, the event, produced by Logic Amen, celebrated 50 years of hip-hop in Seattle and provided a platform for people to share their stories and reaffirm their humanity at Langston Hughes. The energy on stage was electric and made braving the cold weather worth it!

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Beyond Hair: Ena'Vative Hair Studio's Level Up Beauty Bootcamp Redefines the Salon Experience

Looking for a hairstylist who can keep you looking sharp? Look no further than Ena'Vative Hair Studio! This Black Owned salon, owned by Seattle native Ena Robinson, recently opened in the Federal Way Commons mall and offers a variety of cosmetology services, including hair, nails, and makeup. But that's not all - they also offer a unique training-based structure through their program "Level Up Beauty Bootcamp" by Ena'Vative, which provides essential foundational haircare courses for both licensed and unlicensed students.

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Art Brothers Unleashed: Moses Sun and barry johnson's Residency Beneath the Amazon Spheres

Seattle-based artists Moses Sun, and barry johnson, recently wrapped up their two-month tandem residency at The Understory. The public exhibit space, situated at the base of the Amazon Spheres, invited Moses and Barry to hold studio hours as part of Amazon's latest efforts to uplift the local arts community. Vivid Matter Collective Co-founder and Queen of Converge Takiyah Ward caught up with the duo to discuss their experience at Understory, their collaborative process, and the reception of their art.

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Besa Gordon and Trae Holiday partner with Intentions Juice & Smoothie Bar

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.

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