Northwest Media icon Tra’Renee has been holding down the media scene in Portland for nearly two decades. The Converge crew, including producer Juma Blaq and photographer Dean Bechard made the trip to the iHeartMedia studio in the Rose City to document Tra’Renee’s journey and keep Converge’s Portland love flowing.

David Jefferson, the visionary founder of Stackin Kickz in Portland, Oregon has been making major waves in the Rose City’s streetwear culture for sixteen years. The Converge Media crew, including producer Juma Blaq and photographer Dean Bechard, recently linked up with Jefferson to capture his impeccable aesthetic and incredible journey.

The second annual Black History Month Market and Celebration, held recently at The Practice Facility in Tigard, Oregon, was an energizing showcase of Black commerce, culture, and community in the Pacific Northwest. Organized by Converge Media producer Juma Blaq, the event was a deliberate effort to shine a light on Black excellence in an area often overlooked.

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the atmosphere inside Portland City Hall shifted from civic routine to a celebration of culture. In a powerful and long-awaited moment, the Portland City Council officially recognized the life, career, and community impact of David Jackson—better known to the world as DJ O.G. ONE—by proclaiming November 30 as “DJ O.G. ONE Day.”

Unapologetic Black excellence defined the energy of the 2nd Annual Black History Month Market & Celebration in Tigard, Oregon, centering unity, culture, and commerce in the greater Portland area.

#ConvergePDX - At Converge, we believe in uplifting Black joy across the entire Pacific Northwest. Recently, that Black joy was on full, commanding display at The Mixer: Making P(OR)tland Home in Portland, Oregon. At our second year covering the event, the community transformed The Evergreen into a sacred space rooted in presence, storytelling, and community, bringing together Black professionals, creatives, and leaders across Portland.

In the ever-evolving landscape of Portland’s creative scene, a new voice is emerging—not through words, but through the evocative, storytelling power of a Canon EOS Rebel T7. Dean Bechard, a 24-year-old photographer and creative director, has spent the last six months transitioning from a long-time hobbyist into one of the city’s most promising professional visual journalists.

Veteran Portland hip-hop artist Cool Nutz released a new EP titled “Accoutrements” on December 10th, 2025 on all major streaming platforms. The project features cohesive, hard-hitting production from Tope and Trox, delivering a focused body of work that underscores Cool Nutz’s longevity, lyrical precision, and unmistakable Northwest voice.

Portland, OR — Portland’s hip-hop scene comes alive when Festivale Cool Nutz takes over the Alberta Street Pub for two unforgettable nights of music, culture, and community tonight and tomorrow, December 12th & 13th. Headlined and curated by Cool Nutz, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most respected hip-hop pioneers, Festivale Cool Nutz unites a powerhouse lineup of regional talent representing the best of the city’s sound.

Portland’s hip-hop scene comes alive when Festivale Cool Nutz takes over the Alberta Street Pub for two unforgettable nights of music, culture, and community on December 12th & 13th, 2025. Headlined and curated by Cool Nutz, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most respected hip-hop pioneers, Festivale Cool Nutz unites a powerhouse lineup of regional talent representing the best of the city’s sound.

This week on City Beats with Tra’Renee, it was all about wellness, community, and love. From getting healthy to giving back, Tra’Renee highlighted a lineup of events that bring people together in the Portland and Vancouver area.

In this week’s City Beats, Tra’Renee is giving us all the reasons to head down to Portland — because the city is serving high fashion and smooth soul vibes all weekend long.

What a night! The 10th Annual PDX Hip Hop Week Star Awards set the Reser Center for the Arts on fire with culture, creativity, and community. Hosted by “Welcome to the Neighborhood, Radio Personality, DJ Klyph and produced by Co-Founder of PDX Hip Hop Week / Celebrity DJ, O.G.ONE, this wasn’t just a show — it was a movement.

This week on Almost The Weekend, Tra’Renee took us inside PDX Hip Hop Week — celebrating a whole decade of culture, community, and respect for the music that moves Portland. Founded in 2015 by DJ OG One and the late Starchile, Hip Hop Week has become more than concerts — it’s about honoring legacy, creating space, and reminding Portland that hip hop is here to stay.

Portland's vibrant hip-hop scene is gearing up for a major milestone: the 10th anniversary of Portland Hip-Hop Week. From August 20-26, 2025, the city will be buzzing with an extensive lineup of events celebrating the culture that has united communities and elevated local talent. This year promises to be the biggest and most comprehensive celebration yet.

Iconic Emmy-Award winning host and producer Tra’Renee kickstarted the fifth season of her television show “Situations & Conversations” earlier this month on Portland CW. The season aligns with a new partnership with Converge Media and continues to embrace conversation over real-world situations with sincerity and spirit at the forefront. 

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.

Not long ago, Back2Besa and HITS 106.1 Seattle Host Besa Gordon hopped on the Amtrak to Portland, Oregon with her production team and Tanzanian Radio Host on MjiniFM Abby Plaatjes to tell some of the stories of Portland’s Black community.

On Sunday, Trap Kitchen PDX hosted their annual “Feed Our Community” holiday event. Hosted by Trap Kitchen along with local artist and radio host Cool Nutz, the event provided meals for 150+ people, as well as turkeys and holiday essentials for 50+ families in need of supplies and holiday comfort.

Today on Rewind With Besa, Besa Gordon is joined by Converge Media's Proof and Curtis Delgardo to recap Trap Kitchen Weekend, talk about the current hip-hop concert scene in Seattle, while also comparing Seattle night life to PDX night life and so much more.