By Besa Gordon - PDX Hip-Hop Week is officially here, and I’m so excited to be honored this year with the Hip-Hop Wine and Chill with the Radio and TV Personality Trailblazer Award. But that’s not all! Omari Salisbury, CEO and Co-Founder of Converge is getting the Impact Leadership Award.

Umoja Fest 2024 was a celebration of Black culture, creativity, and community spirit in Seattle's Central District. One of the highlights of the festival was the parade, a spectacular showcase of Black pride and heritage.

The Facts Newspaper, a cornerstone of Seattle's Black community, has been in publication since the 1960s. Founded by Fitzgerald Beaver, The Facts was created to fill the gap left by the daily paper and to center the Black experience in Seattle.

The Donaldson family recently gathered to honor their matriarch, Anna (Smalley) Donaldson, at Evergreen Cemetery in Everett, Washington. Born in Alabama in 1856, Anna, along with her husband Jessee and their eight children, migrated to the Pacific Northwest in the 1890s. The Donaldsons are among the Roslyn Black Pioneers, part of a significant migration of Black families from the South and Midwest who were recruited to break white union coal miners' strikes.

August is National Black Business Month, and we're excited to announce the first round of winners for the Back2Besa Black Business Uplift! Congratulations to Luam, Davis, and Kay! We can’t wait to share your stories soon on Back2Besa.

Project Girl, founded by Olympia Edwards, is a mentoring program based in Lynwood, Washington, that provides a fun and interactive space for young women of color to learn and grow. The organization offers eight different programs, including after-school and summer programs, counseling, mentoring, and junior and senior programs.

TraeAnna Holiday joined Good Day Seattle host Erin Mayovsky to preview this weekend's exciting episode of Back2Besa. We're continuing to celebrate National Black Business Month by shining a spotlight on Black-owned businesses in the Pacific Northwest, starting with a special feature on Seattle's long-standing Black-owned media company, The Facts Newspaper.

Mount Zion Baptist Church has been the spiritual and cultural fabric that knits my family’s history to Seattle, spanning back six generations. On July 20th, I had the opportunity to honor this legacy by hosting my very first book signing and documentary screening at this historic church.

Besa Gordon, the beloved host of Back2Besa on FOX 13 Seattle, has officially renewed her contract with the network for a second season. This exciting news comes as Besa is in the midst of taking a temporary break from the show to focus on her health, demonstrating FOX 13's unwavering belief in her and the show's potential. 

Tonight on Back2Besa, guest host Trae Holiday will take the helm in this inspiring episode, which showcases the vibrancy of Black culture and community in the Pacific Northwest.

TraeAnna Holiday, the dynamic host of The Day With Trae on Converge Media and current guest host for Back2Besa on FOX13 pulled double duty this morning during her appearance on FOX13's Good Day with Erin Mayovsky. Holiday shared an exciting preview of her coverage of the 70th annual Umoja Festival and parade for this weekend’s episode of Back2Besa. She also gave a sneak peek into the interview she did with renowned TV talk show host, comedian, and actress Sherri Shepherd for her show The Day With Trae that airs tonight at 8:30 pm on Converge Media.

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.