By Omari Salisbury - Returning to Spokane always feels like a homecoming. It's a city where the Black community's strength and resilience are palpable, and its future is being rewritten with every step forward. Last month, we were honored to witness a momentous occasion: the Black Homeownership Spokane graduation. The atmosphere was electric, charged with the graduates' shared sense of accomplishment, relief, and a burning desire to build a brighter future.

By Besa Gordon - It’s Sunday, so once again, it’s time we take a moment to slow it down to focus on our mental well-being. In the whirlwind of our daily lives, amidst the constant buzz of notifications, deadlines, and social engagements, it's easy to lose sight of something truly essential; I am talking about the profound power of solitude. Today, I want to discuss with you the transformative power of alone time. Something we feel guilty about at times. Buy why?

Terrain, the region's largest multimedia art and music event, recently celebrated its 15th year, showcasing a vibrant array of artistic expression. Ginger Ewing, Terrain co-founder, shared her insights on Terrain's impact and its significance for the local community.

Besa Gordon joined Good Day Seattle host Erin Mayovsky to give a preview of this week's episode of Back2Besa, which focuses on the legacy of local golf legend Bill Wright. The episode highlights the recent renaming of Jefferson Golf Course to the Bill Wright Golf Complex, a testament to Wright's efforts to break down barriers and promote inclusivity in the sport. 

Get ready for another exciting episode of Back2Besa, packed with heartwarming stories and vibrant experiences from across the region. Host Besa Gordon takes you on a culinary journey, starting with the grand opening of Lil Brown Girl, a collaboration between That Brown Girl Cooks and Métier Brewing in Seattle's Central District. Chef Lynn Lewis's reimagined dishes are sure to tantalize your taste buds!

The Fifth Installment of Season Three of Scope Screenings was another fantastic showcase of PNW talent and creative works with quite a few that caught my eye from the city of Spokane. The SIFF Egyptian Theater on Capitol Hill was packed, and I was thrilled to see so many familiar faces.

In case you missed it, Besa Gordon stopped by Good Day Seattle to discuss her recent trip to Spokane with Erin Mayovsky. While there, she focused on her visit to the This Is East Central Mural and shared highlights from her trip, such as Latrice Williams' home buyers court graduation, Terrain 15, and her interview with Channing Curtis of KREM2.

At the Scope Screenings Film Festival, creativity took center stage once again at the SIFF Egyptian Theater in Seattle. Held on the last Tuesday of every month from June through December, Scope Screenings is a hub for filmmakers, producers, and creatives to showcase their work on the big screen. During the recent "Wacky Tacky Night," attendees witnessed an array of films and videos that pushed boundaries and sparked conversations.

FOX13 Seattle is continuing its strong support of Back2Besa, hosted by Besa Gordon, with the launch of a new ad campaign promoting the FOX Local App. This marks the third major ad campaign in less than a month, following a bus campaign featuring Back2Besa and The Jennifer Hudson Show, and a TV commercial announcing the show's second season.

Meet Channing Curtis, a seasoned news anchor at KREM 2 in Spokane, who recently shared her insights and experiences while taping an interview for Back2Besa at Spokane's Kendall Yards. In a conversation with Besa Gordon, Channing opened up about her journey in the news industry, her passion for storytelling, the importance of representation, and the realities of maintaining mental health in a demanding profession.

The GSBA Economic Development Conference is a pivotal gathering that reflects the organization’s commitment to fostering small business growth and economic vitality in Seattle.

A powerful story of community and resilience unfolded as Besa Gordon visited the “This is East Central” mural at the Carl Maxey Center in Spokane.

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." 

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.

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.

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.

Written by Besa Gordon - After seeing my good sis, Trae Holiday, do a special on Jubilee and interview some of the cast members, I just knew I had to experience its greatness in person. And let me tell you, Jubilee at the Seattle Opera was a whole shmood.

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.

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.

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.