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Back2Besa Emma Schwichtenberg Back2Besa Emma Schwichtenberg

Africatown Plaza: Revitalizing Seattle's Central District with Affordable Housing and Cultural Preservation

Africatown Community Land Trust is making a significant impact on Seattle's Central District by expanding affordable housing and preserving Black cultural heritage. The February 2022 groundbreaking for Africatown Plaza marked a turning point for the neighborhood, showcasing the community's ability to "imagine, design, and build solutions for the problems that we face." 

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Back2Besa, Support Black Business Emma Schwichtenberg Back2Besa, Support Black Business Emma Schwichtenberg

Celebrating a Decade of Community Impact: The South Seattle Emerald's 10th Anniversary

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the South Seattle Emerald hosted a vibrant community event that highlighted its pivotal role in providing authentic representation and news to the local population. The Emerald has been instrumental in uplifting the voices of South Seattle and addressing the issues that matter most to its residents.

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PHOTOS: Ginger Ewing's Vision for Terrain: Community, Creativity, and Transformation

Besa Gordon recently had the opportunity to sit down with Ginger Ewing, the driving force behind Terrain, the Pacific Northwest's premier multimedia arts and music festival, in downtown Spokane.  Ewing has been instrumental in Terrain's growth and success over the past 15 years.

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Back2Besa, Converge on the road, Black In Spokane Omari Salisbury Back2Besa, Converge on the road, Black In Spokane Omari Salisbury

Back2Besa Hits the Road: Exploring Spokane's Black Community and Vibrant Arts Scene

Get ready to embark on an exciting journey to Spokane, Washington, in the latest episode of Back2Besa! Host Besa Gordon takes you East of the mountains to delve into the heart of the city's thriving Black community, showcasing its rich history, culture, and undeniable resilience.

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Back2Besa, Central District Emma Schwichtenberg Back2Besa, Central District Emma Schwichtenberg

Walk the Block: Celebrating Black Art and Community in Seattle’s Central District

Wa Na Wari's annual Walk the Block event once again brought the Central District to life, showcasing a celebration of Black art, culture, and community spirit. The two-day gathering invited attendees to explore the historic neighborhood, experiencing diverse art installations and live performances along every block.

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Besa Gordon Previews Africatown Plaza Segment on Good Day Seattle

Besa Gordon, host of Back2Besa, joined Erin Mayovsky on Good Day Seattle this morning to preview an upcoming segment on Africatown Plaza, a new affordable housing development in Seattle's Central District. Gordon, who is from the Central District, spoke about the importance of the project, which will provide 126 affordable units and retail space in a neighborhood that has seen significant gentrification in recent years.

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Back2Besa Drops Season 2 Commercial Highlighting Black Businesses In The Central District

Written by: Besa Gordon - Can you say, new season, new commercial, and this one is with my people from Communion, Re-Sole 206, Jerk Shack Kitchen, and Art Noir. Last month, I posted some BTS photos of me shooting a new commercial for Back2Besa with the FOX 13 Seattle production team at Midtown Square in the Central District, and I can now finally share it with you all.

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Back2Besa Heads to FOX13 Seattle Studios for Season 2 Premiere

Besa Gordon, the dynamic host of Back2Besa on FOX13 Seattle, is kicking off the second season of her show with a bang by recording the premiere episode at the FOX13 Seattle studios. This marked a significant milestone in the show's evolution and in Gordon's relationship with FOX13 Seattle. Last season, Besa balanced recording between Converge Media's Black Media Matters Studio and Iheart Media Seattle, showcasing her adaptability and commitment to delivering top-notch content.

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KD Hall Foundation: Making a Difference in the Sickle Cell Community

September was Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and each year, the KD Hall Foundation holds their annual Resilient Hearts: Sickle Cell Education & Blood Donation, where community members are not only able to get educated on the effects of Sickle Cell but also donate blood to those in need with the disease. 

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FOX 13 Seattle launches “Choose Joy” Campaign with Back2Besa and The Jennifer Hudson Show

Besa Gordon, the dynamic host of Back2Besa on FOX13 Seattle, is joining forces with EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner Jennifer Hudson in a new bus ad campaign set to launch in the Seattle area on Monday, September 16th, to promote The Jennifer Husdon Show and Back2Besa both of which air on FOX13 Seattle in Western Washington. The campaign, themed "Choose Joy," aligns perfectly with the Black Joy programming that both shows champion.

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Back2Besa, Central District Besa Gordon Back2Besa, Central District Besa Gordon

A Model for Change: BENU's Success in Combating Homelessness

Homelessness continues to be one of the most pressing issues facing Seattle and King County, with African Americans disproportionately affected. Despite making up less than 7% of the population, nearly 30% of those experiencing homelessness in the area are Black. Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT), a community-based organization rooted in Seattle’s Central District, is taking bold steps to change this narrative.

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Arts & Culture, Back2Besa Besa Gordon Arts & Culture, Back2Besa Besa Gordon

PHOTOS Wa Na Wari at the Paramount: A Celebration of Black Art

The Wa Na Wari Gallery’s "Forced Perspective: Black Photography at the Paramount Theater" exhibit, a collaboration with Seattle Theatre Group (STG), highlights Black artistry through stunning photographs that capture the essence of Black life and culture. This powerful exhibition fosters dialogue and connection, offering a platform for Black artists historically excluded from the mainstream.

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Back2Besa, Good Day Seattle Besa Gordon Back2Besa, Good Day Seattle Besa Gordon

Besa Gordon talks Wa Na Wari "Forced Perspective" exhibit at the Paramount on Good Day Seattle

This morning, Besa Gordon, the host of Back2Besa, stopped by Good Day Seattle to talk about the "Forced Perspective: Black Photography at the Paramount Theater" exhibit with Good Day Seattle’s Erin Mayovsky. The exhibit is a collaboration between Seattle Theatre Group (STG) and Wa Na Wari, a center for Black art and storytelling, and features stunning photographs from Wa Na Wari's archives that capture the essence of Black life and culture.

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Back2Besa Goes Back to Spokane for Terrain 15!

The Back2Besa crew is hitting the road again and heading back to Spokane, Washington, on October 4th and 5th. We can’t wait to connect with the flourishing Black community in Spokane and share more of the amazing stories and events happening in the city. While in Spokane, we’re attending the Terrain Art Festival Pop-Up, stopping by East Central Spokane, and, of course, Besa Gordon’s favorite, eating good food.

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