From the moment you step inside Beautiful Awakenings, you're enveloped in an atmosphere of tranquility. The spa's interior, thoughtfully designed by Jamila herself, is bathed in natural light and adorned with lush greenery. The ambiance is both inviting and luxurious, setting the stage for a truly indulgent experience.

Aaliyah is a proud GED grad and is in her first year at Seattle Central College. Starting with dance, drawing, and music, then incorporating poetry and writing, her love for the arts is endless and continues to grow as she steps into the role of youth assistant director of Lifted! Youth Gospel Choir, and works on her first EP. Though her teen years have been rocky, to say the least, Aaliyah is ready to bring raw vulnerability to the stage and give a compassionate voice to this community. She is so grateful to STG for this opportunity!

Celebrity Edge is not just a cruise ship; it's a destination in itself. From the moment you step on board, you're greeted with luxury, innovation, and endless entertainment options. One of the highlights of Celebrity Edge is its extraordinary dining experiences. Eden Restaurant offers a culinary journey like no other, where the food is not just delicious but also a feast for the eyes. The innovative dishes and impeccable service make dining at Eden an unforgettable experience.

Trae Holiday, filling in for Besa Gordon, joined Erin Mayovsky on Good Day Seattle on FOX 13 yesterday to discuss Black Philanthropy Month and the Therapy Fund Foundation. Holiday shared her enthusiasm for the foundation's work, highlighting their second annual "Reclaiming Wellness" event at Green River College. The event focused on promoting well-being and mental health for people of color, a mission that the Therapy Fund Foundation is dedicated to.

Besa Gordon, the beloved host of Back2Besa on FOX 13 Seattle, has returned to the Emerald City after her healing journey to Tanzania. While still on leave to prioritize her health, Besa made a special visit to the Black Media Matters studio to personally express her gratitude to TraeAnna Holiday, who has been graciously filling in as guest host since taking over from Deaunte Damper.

PDX Hip Hop Week is back, and it's bigger than ever! From August 20th to 26th, Portland will come alive with the rhythm and soul of hip hop culture. This annual celebration, founded in 2015 by DJ O.G.ONE and the late Starchile, aims to unite the community, support local artists, and honor the positive impact of hip hop.

Trae Holiday, who is the current guest host of Back2Besa as well as host of her own show, The Day With Trae, joined Erin Mayovsky on the set of FOX 13’s Good Day Seattle this morning for a sneak preview of this weekend episode of Back2Besa in which TraeAnna highlighted a recent Black History Event celebrated in the City of Federal Way which acknowledged the city’s early Black pioneers.

Join guest host TraeAnna Holiday this weekend as she takes the helm of Back2Besa from Deaunte Damper, as she explores the vibrant tapestry of Black culture and community in the Pacific Northwest. This episode is packed with inspiring stories and insightful conversations, including:

Back2Besa guest host Deaunte Damper recently revisited a local favorite in Seattle's Rainier Beach neighborhood: Creamy Cone Cafe. This delightful ice cream, espresso, and specialty food shop, owned by Ashanti Mayfield, has been serving up scoops of joy since 2021.

When school's out for the summer, many children who rely on school meals face a nutritional gap. Recognizing this challenge, the City of Seattle's Human Services Department has stepped up to ensure that no child in the city goes hungry during the summer months.  

It was an emotional final day last week at Converge Media’s Black Media Matters Studio as Deaunte Damper taped his final episode as guest host of Back2Besa. Converge Media has been a source of healing and growth for many, including Deaunte Damper, who recently shared his personal journey after his final taping of Back2Besa, where he has been filling in as guest host during Besa Gordon’s leave to focus on her health.  Deaunte expressed the difficulty in overcoming personal struggles and the courage it took to face them head-on.

Deaunte Damper, the charismatic host of "We Live In Color" on Converge Media, has been a fantastic guest host on "Back2Besa" while Besa Gordon takes a well-deserved break. Damper has described his time on the show as "one of the best experiences of my life," and his passion for sharing uplifting stories from the community has shone through in every episode.

Deaunte Damper, filling in for Besa Gordon on Good Day Seattle as she continues to focus on her health, joined Erin to shed light on the city's Summer Meals Program. Damper, a Seattle native, expressed his deep appreciation for the initiative, stating, "I'm just in awe of the work that the Human Services Department is doing right now to prioritize our youth under 18 and ensure they have access to food during the summer months."

Cammie Ploeger, a 14-year-old actor, singer, and writer with Ethiopian and Korean American roots, performed her original piece, "Letter to the Goned," at the 2024 STG Elevate showcase.

Earlier this month, the Black and Tan Hall in South Seattle was the scene of an extraordinary event: the Young and Talented showcase. This unique concert, put on for kids by kids, highlighted the musical prowess of some incredibly gifted young performers.

In their recent conversation, Besa and 24k Goldn explored a wide range of topics, from his journey since their last encounter to his foray into modeling and his decision to seek therapy.

The South Sound Music Festival, now in its third year, recently concluded another successful event in Tacoma, Washington. This vibrant celebration brought together a diverse mix of artists, vendors, and community members for a day filled with music, food, and fun.

A demonstration of community activism took place recently with the Traffic Jam for Peace, orchestrated by Urban Family. This event intentionally slowed traffic on Interstate 5 North to draw attention to the urgency of addressing gun violence. The traffic jam served as a metaphor, highlighting how violence affects everyone in the community, regardless of direct involvement.

Last month, the City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture launched the iconic Complexity exhibit at ARTS inside the historic King Street Station. The exhibit, part of the DogTown Collection, is in partnership with The American Graffiti & Urban Art Conservation Project and APEX Art & Cultural Center. This epic collection showcases masterpieces created by some of the most influential graffiti writers of the last 50 years.

Scope Screenings, Seattle's leading film festival dedicated to showcasing the best in short films, music videos, and short-form content, kicked off its third season on June 25th at the prestigious SIFF Egyptian Theater. Founded by Lex Scope in 2022, Scope Screenings has quickly become known for its vibrant events that combine film screenings with live discussions and networking opportunities.