The Facts Newspaper, a cornerstone of Seattle's Black community, has been in publication since the 1960s. Founded by Fitzgerald Beaver, The Facts was created to fill the gap left by the daily paper and to center the Black experience in Seattle.

August is National Black Business Month, and we're excited to announce the first round of winners for the Back2Besa Black Business Uplift! Congratulations to Luam, Davis, and Kay! We can’t wait to share your stories soon on Back2Besa.

Project Girl, founded by Olympia Edwards, is a mentoring program based in Lynwood, Washington, that provides a fun and interactive space for young women of color to learn and grow. The organization offers eight different programs, including after-school and summer programs, counseling, mentoring, and junior and senior programs.

Mount Zion Baptist Church has been the spiritual and cultural fabric that knits my family’s history to Seattle, spanning back six generations. On July 20th, I had the opportunity to honor this legacy by hosting my very first book signing and documentary screening at this historic church.

From the moment you step inside Beautiful Awakenings, you're enveloped in an atmosphere of tranquility. The spa's interior, thoughtfully designed by Jamila herself, is bathed in natural light and adorned with lush greenery. The ambiance is both inviting and luxurious, setting the stage for a truly indulgent experience.

Do you know of a Black-owned business in the Pacific Northwest that deserves recognition? We want to hear from you! Nominate your favorite business today and tell us why you think they should be featured. August is National Black Business Month, a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the invaluable contributions of Black-owned businesses across the United States. This annual observance, established in 2004, serves as a reminder of the resilience, innovation, and economic impact of Black entrepreneurs.

Back2Besa guest host Deaunte Damper recently revisited a local favorite in Seattle's Rainier Beach neighborhood: Creamy Cone Cafe. This delightful ice cream, espresso, and specialty food shop, owned by Ashanti Mayfield, has been serving up scoops of joy since 2021.

Ezell's Famous Chicken, the popular Pacific Northwest fried chicken chain, is set to host its third annual R.U.B.B. Initiative Conference this August. The conference, created in collaboration with DoorDash and other partners, aims to uplift and empower Black business owners in Washington state.

In this segment of The Day With Trae, guest host Besa Gordon fills in for Trae Holiday to interview Jazmin Elon, the founder and visionary behind Blk Sunflower. An entrepreneur and educator, Elon established her company based on candle making. Since then, she has turned her experiences as a budding business owner and candle maker to leading the BLK Sunflower Business Collective, a thriving community of over 800 entrepreneurs she helps grow and succeed.

YOUniversal FIT Studio, with the support of a $10,000 grant from the Tacoma Black Fund, is launching "Men Uplift," a groundbreaking program dedicated to the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of Black men. This initiative is spearheaded by Mike Ford, whose personal journey from emotional abuser to advocate has inspired this critical program.

Seattle's First Hill neighborhood is home to a hidden culinary gem that transports diners to the vibrant flavors of West Africa. Gold Coast Ghal Kitchen, the brainchild of Liberian-American Chef Tina Fahnbulleh, is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of the region.

Africatown Community Land Trust held its annual Black Wall Street Market as part of The Summer of Soul Series. The event transformed 23rd and Jackson into Seattle's own Black Wall Street, with over 100 Black businesses celebrating the rich history of Black commercial centers.

Influential names in Seattle's Black business community gathered at Byrd Barr Place for Africatown Community Land Trust’s Building Black Wall Street Mixer and Chat. Hosted by Debrena Jackson Gandy and keynoted by Lewis Rudd of Ezell’s Famous Chicken, the event included a panel of successful Black entrepreneurs

Some of the most respected names in Seattle’s Black business community came together last week at Byrd Barr Place in the #CentralDistrict for Africatown Community Land Trust’s Building Black Wall Street Mixer + Chat. The mixer was hosted by author Debrena Jackson Gandy and keynoted by Central District business icon Lewis Rudd, co-founder of Ezell’s Famous Chicken.

On Monday, Africantown Community Land Trust held its annual Black Wall Street Market, which is part of the Summer of Soul Series. This year’s event brought life to the streets of 23rd and Jackson, where over 100 Black businesses gathered to celebrate and honor the rich history of thriving Black commercial centers throughout the country. T

This week on Back2Besa, we are highlighting coffee shops in Seattle and Tacoma you should know about. One of those shops happened to be Luv-A-Late, located in the Tacoma Hill Top area. Owned by Andrea McCarthy, Luv-A-Late is loved not only for its drink and food options but also for the artwork by Bruce Pickford that graces the walls of the coffee shop.

Owned by Quincy and Whitni Henry, Campfire Coffee Co, located in Tacoma, Washington. Was created as the couple wanted to open an outdoorsy coffee shop with the social goal of getting diverse families into nature. They opened their coffee shop in 2020, and have been thriving in their lane of coffee beans and camping ever since. 

Not too long ago at A Space Inside, Dr. Ben Danielson and Abigail Echohawk had a panel discussion moderated by Sierra Jones, co-owner of A Space Inside. The conversation took the audience on a journey of examining, accepting, and declaring what is deserved by the institutions that are meant to serve, specifically in the health and wellness department. Dr Ben and Abigail co-chair the County's "Racism is a Public Health Crisis" Initiative under County Executive Dow Constantine, which seeks to mitigate the harm done by government institutions toward BIPOC communities in the area.

Platinum Plush Fashions marked its 23rd anniversary with a Grand Re-opening Celebration. Thanks to the Seattle Office of Economic Development, the store underwent a stunning transformation led by all Black contractors. Our cameras captured the historic ribbon-cutting ceremony as loyal community members joined owner Nikita Mathis in celebrating this momentous occasion.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Burien, just south of Seattle, is a culinary gem that has captured the hearts and palates of locals and visitors alike. Classic Eats, owned by the passionate Chef Tony Hayes, has not only become a beloved dining spot for Burien residents but also a destination for food enthusiasts across the Seattle metro area. With its carefully curated comfort food menu, steeped in the flavors of Louisiana, Classic Eats offers a dining experience crafted with love and rooted in tradition.