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Seattle's Jackson Street Jazz Trail: A Sonic Journey Through History

Seattle, a city known for its rich musical heritage, has recently unveiled the Jackson Street Jazz Trail, a self-guided walking tour that celebrates the vibrant jazz scene that once thrived in the city's historic district. The trail, which winds its way through the heart of Seattle's Jackson Street area, offers visitors a glimpse into the past, highlighting the musicians, clubs, and cultural landmarks that shaped the city's jazz legacy.

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Back2Besa, Support Black Business Omari Salisbury Back2Besa, Support Black Business Omari Salisbury

Moe Vegan Celebrates Grand Opening in Kent, Emphasizing Family, Community, and Healthy Eating

Moe Vegan, a new Black-owned vegan restaurant, celebrated its grand opening in Kent, Washington, on December 7th. The event was met with overwhelming excitement from the community, drawing a large crowd that included Kent Mayor Dana Ralph and members of the Kent Chamber of Commerce.

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That's a Wrap! Scope Screenings Celebrates a Successful 2024 Season

Scope Screenings, the Seattle-based film festival, recently wrapped up its third season with a bang, marking the last event of 2024 at the SIFF Uptown Theater. The festival has become a beacon for local artists and filmmakers, providing a platform for creatives to showcase their work, connect with like-minded individuals, and foster a sense of community.

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Back2Besa Besa Gordon Back2Besa Besa Gordon

Reliving the Magic of WildLanterns at the Woodland Park Zoo

It's that time of year again when the Woodland Park Zoo transforms into a magical wonderland of lights for WildLanterns! Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to experience this event firsthand, and I'm excited to share my memories and some behind-the-scenes insights with you. So, let's take a trip back in time and relive the magic of my personal tour of WildLanterns with Craig Newberry, a Public Relations Specialist for the Woodland Park Zoo.

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Back2Besa, Good Day Seattle, Arts & Culture Besa Gordon Back2Besa, Good Day Seattle, Arts & Culture Besa Gordon

Besa Gordon Shines a Light on Scope Screenings and Seattle's Creative Community

Yesterday morning, Besa Gordon, the dynamic host of Back2Besa, joined Mireya Garcia on Good Day Seattle to celebrate the successful conclusion of Scope Screenings' 2024 season. The Seattle-based film festival, now in its third year, has become a vital platform for local filmmakers and artists to showcase their work, fostering a vibrant and supportive creative community.

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Little Red's: A Labor of Love Feeding Seattle's Soul

"I love feeding people. I love watching people eat my food," says Erasto “Red” Jackson, owner of Little Red's Take Out and Catering. Red's passion for food and community shines through in every aspect of his restaurant, from the carefully crafted menu to the warm and welcoming atmosphere.

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Back2Besa, Buy Black Card, Support Black Business Emma Schwichtenberg Back2Besa, Buy Black Card, Support Black Business Emma Schwichtenberg

Besa's Buy Black Card Brunch: A Sold-Out Celebration of Community and Black-Owned Businesses

Seattle's Central District was abuzz with excitement as the first annual Besa's Buy Black Card Brunch filled Simply Soulful Cafe with a sold-out crowd. The event, a vibrant celebration of Black culture, cuisine, and entrepreneurship, exemplifies the strength of community and the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses.

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Back2Besa, Arts & Culture Omari Salisbury Back2Besa, Arts & Culture Omari Salisbury

Rewind and Relive the Magic: My Backstage Nutcracker Adventure

Hey everyone, Besa Gordon here, and I'm feeling extra festive as we head into the holiday season! I'm taking you all on a little journey back in time to last year's Nutcracker season with the incredible Pacific Northwest Ballet. I was lucky enough to get a behind-the-scenes look at all the magic that happens at McCaw Hall, and let me tell you, it was an absolute dream come true.

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

Langston and CD Forum's Creative Empowerment Program Uplifts Black Artistry

Recently, The Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute and the Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas (CD Forum) celebrated the culminating event of their collaborative project, the Creative Empowerment Program (CEP). This innovative program, designed to support and uplift Black artists in the region, paired six mentors with six mentees, providing them with resources, guidance, and a platform to showcase their work. In addition to the mentorship program, the initiative awarded a total of $30,000 in grants to 30 Black artists and creatives.

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Back2Besa, Back2Besa FOX SOUL Omari Salisbury Back2Besa, Back2Besa FOX SOUL Omari Salisbury

Back2Besa Goes National with Central District Celebration

Seattle's rising star, Besa Gordon, marked a major milestone in her career with the national debut of her show, "Back2Besa," on FOX SOUL yesterday afternoon. The celebration kicked off with a vibrant premiere party at Metier Brewing Company on Cherry Street, in the heart of the Central District – the very neighborhood where Gordon grew up.

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Celebrating Community and Gratitude at Trap Kitchen PDX's 4th Annual Turkey Drive

For the second consecutive year, Converge Media and Back2Besa were honored to collaborate with Trap Kitchen PDX, JAM'N 107.5, Jus Family Records, and other incredible community organizations. Together, we provided a heartwarming Thanksgiving dinner, essential hygiene supplies, and other services to our Rose City neighbors in need.

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Back2Besa, Back2Besa FOX SOUL Omari Salisbury Back2Besa, Back2Besa FOX SOUL Omari Salisbury

Besa Gordon's Back2Besa Goes National, But Keeps it Local

The dynamic Besa Gordon, the driving force behind Back2Besa, brought her infectious energy to Good Day Seattle's FOX 13 Seattle this morning, sharing exciting news with host Erin Mayovsky: Back2Besa is going national on FOX SOUL and will be producing two separate shows one for the national FOX SOUL audience alongside her existing show on FOX 13 Seattle. 

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Kiki Ballroom Scene: A Place of Community, Growth, and Expression

By Deaunte Damper - Alright y'all, let's dive deeper into this Kiki ballroom scene, a place where community, growth, and expression collide. I had the chance to chop it up with some key figures in the scene, and let me tell you, their insights were powerful.

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Back2Besa, Support Black Business Omari Salisbury Back2Besa, Support Black Business Omari Salisbury

Campfire Coffee: Brewing Success in Tacoma with Community and Perseverance

The story of Campfire Coffee began with a simple need: a job. Quincy and his wife, Whitney, both found themselves unemployed within a short span of time. It was during a long drive home from a family visit that the idea for Campfire Coffee was born. Quincy's wife had always joked about wanting to own a coffee stand, and in that moment, they decided to turn that dream into a reality.

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Back2Besa Besa Gordon Back2Besa Besa Gordon

Bill Wright's Legacy Honored with Golf Course Renaming

A historic moment unfolded in the heart of Beacon Hill as the city celebrated the renaming of the Jefferson Park Golf Course to the Bill Wright Golf Complex. This momentous occasion marked the first time in the city's history that a park was renamed to honor a citizen, a testament to the profound impact Bill Wright had on the community and the sport of golf.

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Back2Besa, Support Black Business Besa Gordon Back2Besa, Support Black Business Besa Gordon

Hot Fish House: A Taste of Southern Hospitality in Lakewood

Inspired by the traditional fish houses of the South, Gethers' vision for the Hot Fish House was born out of his own experiences growing up in South Carolina. "I grew up in my grandmother's business," he shares. "She owned a small restaurant called Oakville Lunch, a lot of seafood, lot of pork. So it's down-home Southern Living."

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Back2Besa, Arts & Culture, Central District Besa Gordon Back2Besa, Arts & Culture, Central District Besa Gordon

Kutt N' Up: A 20-Year Legacy of Dance, Family, and Community Impact

Seattle's Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute recently pulsed with the rhythm and energy of Kutt N' Up's 20th-anniversary celebration. The event highlighted the profound impact this dance group has had on Seattle's youth and the broader dance community. Co-founders Dwayne Jackson and Koach Giggz (Koach Crosby) sat down for an interview, reflecting on their remarkable journey and the enduring legacy of Kutt N' Up.

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