A Queen has officially received her rightful crown. Over the weekend, our cameras hit the road and took the 90 minute drive east across the Cascade Mountains to the town of Cle Elum, Washington, for the coronation of 17-teen-year-old Jessa Thomas, Miss Teen Rodeo Washington State. Jessa isn't just any Queen, she is the first-ever Black Queen for Miss Teen Rodeo in Washington State, and the honor was well deserved. More about Jessa below:

Delving into the dynamic fusion of hip-hop culture and urban art, Red Bull's community engagement soars in the vibrant heart of Seattle. With the highly anticipated return of Red Bull's Lords of the Floor after two decades, slated for April 6th at WaMu Theater, the brand is also making its mark in the city's artistic landscape. Collaborating with globally renowned graffiti artists such as Totem2, Charms Won, and Graves, Red Bull recently transformed the Westside Wall in West Seattle into a captivating canvas alive with their creative expressions.

Prepare yourself for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as Red Bull Lords of the Floor, one of the most prestigious dance battles in the world, returns to Seattle after a hiatus of over 20 years on April 6th at WAMU. This exclusive event will showcase the world's top break dancers, who will soon be representing the United States in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Hosted by Tacoma's own Jo Koy, and featuring a performance from Common, this is an event you simply can't afford to miss. 

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.

Written by: Besa Gordon - Yesterday was officially #OpeningDay for Major League Baseball, and let me tell you, friend. Your girl lived her best life last year. If I were to be really honest, last year has to be my favorite baseball season yet. For starters, I was the official red carpet host for All-Stars in 2023; I took over T-Mobile Park with Bookie Gates from Baseball Beyond Borders to do a whole commercial for the HBCU swingman classic. Speaking of Swingman, I feel for anyone that didn’t make it to that game. To me, this was more than just a match on the field; it was like a full-on reunion in the ballpark. If you were there, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.

Written by: Besa Gordon - Let's take a moment to talk about all the things that will be on Back2Besa this weekend... Actually, first I have to say, the show officially turns 38 on Saturday, as we are officially on ep 38 this weekend. It's deff time to recap everything that's been on the show becasue, at this point, we've told over 150 stories since the launch on of the show on FOX 13 Seattle. What a blessing it is for the entire Back2Besa team and me to truly be able to highlight stories all across the PNW.

In a captivating dialogue on love and relationships, Debrena Jackson-Gandy Back2Besa Love and Relationships Expert introduces the concept of "Love STDs" - socially transmitted delusions. These are the misconceptions about love and relationships perpetuated through generations via media, songs, movies, and societal norms.

The 89th Washington Sports Star of the Year Awards, a longstanding tradition in the state's sports scene, celebrated excellence in athletics and community contributions. Originating in 1935, this event, curated by legendary sports editor Royal Brougham and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, honors the athletes, coaches, and community members behind the most memorable sports stories.

Earlier this month, Besa Gordon, host of Back2Besa, jumped on a plane and flew to the heart of Spokane for the You Oughta Know Panel held at the Washington Cracker Building for an enlightening discussion on media etiquette and professionalism. The event was curated by Ryker and aimed to provide local artists with essential tools for navigating the media landscape.

Earlier this month, Besa Gordon was flown to Spokane for the You Oughta Know panel put on by Ryker, who also happens to manage friend to the show, Oble Reed. This panel featured the likes of, Inlander music editor Seth Sommerfeld, the Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Recording Academy, Jessica Toon, regional Hip-Hop Artist Jang The Goon, and of course, yours truly, as the conversion was moderated by Co-Founder of Spokast Brennon Poynor. This installment of You Oughta Know was the final of a six-series panel, and our topic was Media Professionalism and Etiquette. They talked about how to be yourself in any room you’re in, how to use social media to build your tribe, and how to reach out to media outlets to get your music heard.

Written by - Besa Gordon: Seattle's vibrant art scene was on full display at the recent 8th edition of The Still In Our Feels showcase, held at AXIS Pioneer Square. As I stepped into the event, I was immediately immersed in a sea of creativity, surrounded by local artists, performers, and enthusiasts alike. This eighth edition of The Still In Our Feels Showcase brought together diverse talent from across the greater Seattle area, offering a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work.

It’s that time of year when we’re all anticipating the start of baseball season, which also means it’s time to talk about the new foods hitting T-Mobile Park this season. Yesterday, the Seattle Mariners announced their new food and beverage offerings for the 2024 season ahead of Opening Day, which is Thursday, March 28th. While there, I caught up with T-Mobile Park’s Executive Chef, Chef Javier Rosa, to get the deets on this season’s food additions and how he picked each item. I also asked Chef which food I should try first and he happily told me to try them all, and pace myself, so… That’s exactly what I did. Below is a list of my favorite added items added to the ballpark this 2024 season:

Rise Above, an organization dedicated to empowering Native American children by providing various sports events, cultural activities, and mentorship programs, recently held one of its basketball clinics at the Nisqually Youth Center in Olympia as part of its ongoing efforts to provide youth outreach for Native communities throughout the United States.

While in Seattle, not only did Bay Area rapper Kamaiyah perform at a sold-out show (at Nectar Lounge), but she also stopped by the Black Media Matters studio for an interview with Besa Gordon. They talked about everything from new music to Kamaiyah's return to the Bay Area.

Amidst today's daunting challenges, RiseAbove shines as a beacon of hope for Native American youth. At a recent event in Olympia's Nisqually Youth Center, former NBA player Chris Herren shared his journey of overcoming addiction to inspire a different path. Joined by notable figures like Governor Jay Inslee and Sonics legends Lenny Wilkens and George Karl, RiseAbove founder Jaci McCormick showcased the organization's mission: to provide youths with tools for personal development through sports and mentorship. With over 1,300 youths served nationwide in January alone, RiseAbove's commitment to reshaping the narrative for Native youth is undeniable.

The Feels Foundation held its annual art showcase, Still In Our Feels, at AXIS Pioneer Square to celebrate culturally diverse emerging artists from the Greater Seattle Area and beyond. In its 8th year, the showcase left our very own Besa Gordon, host of Back2Besa, in awe of the talent displayed all over the space.

In a world where hate seems to be on the rise, it becomes increasingly vital to address and combat it head-on. Recently, the Black Heritage Society of Washington State, the Wing Luke Museum, and the Washington State Jewish Historical Society joined forces for an event at the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) called "Confronting Hate Together."

For a decade now, the Northwest has been graced by the dazzling spectacle of the Reign of Style Hair Show and competition. This annual extravaganza, now in its 10th year, was born from the visionary mind of Aisha Ellis-Asim. Recognizing a void in the region's hair show scene, Aisha set out to fill it, thus giving birth to Reign Competitions NW. The mission was clear: provide a platform for hairstylists, beauticians, makeup artists, cosmetology students, and fashion designers from Seattle, Tacoma, and surrounding areas to showcase their talents, creativity, and passion for hair, beauty, and fashion.

Join Besa Gordon as she engages in a candid discussion with renowned love and relationships coach, and author of The Love Lies, Debrena Jackson-Gandy, delving into the intricate dynamics of modern-day relationships in "The State Of The Union." In this enlightening interview, Debrena unravels the complexities behind the breakdown of marriages and relationships, dissecting the impact of dating apps on communication and connection in budding romances. Explore strategies to reignite passion and foster open communication within relationships, alongside insights on what truly defines a "good date" and much more. Tune in for an insightful exploration into the ever-evolving landscape of love and intimacy.

Written by - Besa Gordon: If there's one thing you know about me, it's that I'm always on the lookout for exciting events with a vibe that everyone can enjoy. So, when I received an invitation to Vibe Bingo in Federal Way, I couldn't resist checking it out. Now, I know what you might be thinking - Bingo? That's something my Gran Gran does! But wait, let me tell you - this isn't your ordinary bingo night. This is VIBE. Bingo.