Jonathan Batista, the pioneering Black Principal Dancer at the Pacific Northwest Ballet, adds another accolade to his illustrious career.

Awarded the prestigious Entertainer of the Year 2023 title by POCAAN, Batista’s triumph arrives a year after his historic elevation as the first Black Principal in the ballet company’s history.

Written by Besa Gordon - With Christmas now behind us and the New Year fast approaching, it’s important to remember the power of giving and creating a moment of joy for someone who may not have had any of this year. Last weekend on Back2Besa we wanted to take a moment to look back at some of the people around the region who have taken time to give back to others.

Our friends Anthony and Marlie, Love of Traveling While Black, are back on Back2Besa to give us their suggestions on how to live your best life this holiday season. Check out their activity suggestions.

Written by Besa Gordon - With Christmas being next week, I wanted to remind you of something really dope that occurred last month that will help you shop Black this Christmas season. On Black Friday, I pulled up to Métier Brewing Company in the #CentralDistrict as Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell proclaimed it "Black Black Friday" in partnership with Laura Clise of the Intentionalist, BECU, and DNA - Mayor Harrell emphasized the Black Black Card issued by BECU will give shoppers 20% back on their money loaded onto the card with the intention that they use the card to shop at Black businesses across the greater Seattle area. And what's really dope is the card has a 7-year expiration date, so it's not just for this holiday season. It's truly about shopping Black all year round.

Growth, development, leadership, and all the signs of future success are definitely things I found in my short time with the Rip City Remix a few weeks ago. The Remix is a new NBA G League team in Rip City (aka Portland, aka The Rose City) where players who are not quite ready for the bright lights of the NBA can literally develop their talents through a close partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Written by Besa Gordon - Recently, Monika C. Matthews from QueenCare, a health and wellness shop in the Central District that I highlighted back in August has opened up a spa called The Spa House in Columbia City. WOOT WOOT! I remember when Monkia told me about her plans to open this spa; she said it had been years in the making, and I'm so happy for her that it's finally here.

With over 1000 people through the door on Saturday, the Seattle Opera’s Black Artist Market was a clear example of when intention meets purpose with the outcome being business success for the 30 Black businesses that participated while at the same time bringing a sense of belonging and welcoming for many in Seattle’s Black community in attendance whom for the majority of them was their first time inside Tagney Jones Hall and their first interaction with the Seattle Opera.

Last Thursday, our TraeAnna Holiday attended the opening night of Black Nativity presented by the Intiman Theater at the Broadway Performance Hall. After a decade-long hiatus, the return of Black Nativity has been one of the most highly anticipated productions this holiday season in Seattle’s Black community and beyond. The musical written by Langston Hughes was a tradition in the Emerald City for years and was anchored by the late Pat Wright, who was the founder of the Total Experience Gospel Choir, as well as the late Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, who was the pastor at Seattle’s Mout Zion Baptist Church for 40 years.

Written by Besa Gordon: Recently, I headed to West Seattle for the HBCU drink competition, where eight different bartenders came together to compete and see who could make the best Old Fashioned using Uncle Nearest Whiskey. For those that don't know, the whiskey is named after the formerly enslaved man, Nathan "Nearest" Green, who taught a young Jack Daniel the craft of distilling. As of 2023, eight brand variants have been produced. According to the IWSR, Uncle Nearest is the fastest-growing whiskey brand in the United States and is recognized as the most successful black-owned distillery in the world.

Northwest Tap Connection held their biannual fundraisers “Hard Times Require Furious Dancing,” at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute on December 8th and 9th. The sold-out shows featured performances by current and past students, instructors, a group of roller skaters, and a singer. In addition to the performances, audience members could check out an exhibit featuring photos, art, and artifacts “designed to educate the observers about the Black experience of music, song, and dance.”

Tuesday's Black Tech Night featured a fireside chat with F5 CEO, François Locoh-Donou, and Janine Rubenstein from People Magazine. François shared about his journey to leadership, the importance of high adversity quotient, and the value in always learning. This event was hosted in collaboration with F5 Appreciates Blackness , Seattle's Office of Economic Development, and SeaCiti. The Black Tech Night series in Seattle is intended to create a space to gather and connect with our region's Black tech community and allies.

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.

Converge Media’s Art Queen and host of Art Of The Matter Takiyah “TDUB” Ward continues to take the Emerald City by storm as she recently unveiled her cleat collaboration with Seahawks Quarterback Geno Smith.

Last Sunday Converge Media partnered with the Emergency Feeding Program (@emergencyfeeding ), Tre Simmons (@tresimmons13 ), Gardner Global (@jaebadiah , The Chosen Few, Hashtag Lunchbag (@hashtaglunchbagsea )A 4 Apple (@a4applelearningcenter ) and more for their annual meal kit giveaway. Hosted at the Holy Temple Evangelistic Center in Skyway, the event featured meal kits, books, clothing, and other resources for the community, including 400 meal kits.

On Wednesday, the Emergency Feeding Program stopped by Pioneer Square to provide meals and supplies to those in need. Our Besa Gordon was there along with the Back2Besa crew to catch up with the organizers and help out as the EFP team work to make the holidays a little brighter in the community.

One of Seattle’s most iconic poets hosted a book reading and signing event at Cultural Art Galley and Event Space TASWIRA last week.

Have you heard of Beau Legs Fish and Chips in Lacey, Washington? The family-owned restaurant has been serving the community for the last 15 years and is going strong. Serving staples like jambalaya, grits, gumbo and more, Beau Legs uses family recipes to bring soul food to Lacey.

On Saturday, Seattle welcomed another Black-owned business to the city. Intentions Juice and Smoothie Cafe opened their brand new location in South Lake Union with an outpouring of community support.

The weather is getting colder, and that means it’s candle season. Besa Gordon took a trip over to Noir Lux  Candle Co. to tap in with Owner and CEO Colina Bruce, who founded the company in her kitchen during the pandemic.

It’s Halloween and businesses across Seattle are getting in the spirit of the Holiday. Couture Cocktails 206 and owner Ashaunti Martin hosted a Halloween Cocktail making class at Made Space earlier this month, and Back2Besa Host Besa Gordon was there to tap in and #SupportBlackBusiness.