Going into the New Year, Besa Gordon's Back2Besa is proud to announce renowned Relationship and Love expert Debrena Jackson Gandy as a new show regular. With over 20 years of experience, Gandy is a nationally published best-selling author, keynote speaker, Master Life Coach, and transformational facilitator. As the founder of the Love Academy, she teaches and coaches a new relationships paradigm centered on attracting and sustaining JUICY love relationships and JUICY marriages.

Back2Besa host and nationally syndicated radio host Besa Gordon is set to once again host on the red carpet of the Seattle Sports Star Awards. The annual event brings together the best of the Seattle Sports Scene, and Gordon is quickly becoming a large part of that.

Reverend Harriett Walden, an influential figure in Seattle known for her activism and work with police accountability, has announced the launch of Virtues Healing Reflection Cards. Having partnered with the Seattle Human Service Department (HSD), Reverend Walden will distribute the cards throughout Seattle in an endeavor focused on community healing. 

Seattle, WA. (Jan. 29, 2024) – Ezell’s Famous Chicken, a fast casual fried chicken restaurant with 16 locations in Washington and one location in Oregon, is proud to celebrate its 40th anniversary this February. Started by one sister and two sets of brothers from East Texas, today founders Lewis Rudd, Darnell Rudd and their sister Faye Stephens are still active in day to day operations, joined by an extended family of about 300 employees. The family-owned and operated business, which serves up chicken, sides and more made fresh from scratch at each location, first opened its doors on February 3rd, 1984 in Seattle’s Central District after waiting six years for initial funding. Since opening it has gained a loyal fan base, made many famous friends, and has established a strong tradition of giving back to the community.

This winter in the Pacific Northwest has brought everything from wind and rain to freezing temperatures and even snow! But just because the weather isn't ideal doesn't mean you can't be warm and fashionable. After Seattle experienced historically low temperatures, Besa turned to her personal stylist, Akia Ronai, for some winter fashion advice.

A decade-long journey culminated in a momentous occasion on January 18th, as the Skyway community in West Hill celebrated the groundbreaking of the Skyway Resource Center. This milestone comes after an inclusive Community Center Visioning Process and years of local engagement in comprehensive planning.

Boon Boona Coffee, owned by Efrem Fesaha, celebrated five years of being in their Renton location on Sunday, January 14th. The event was not just a celebration of their success, but of the community and local businesses that have supported them along the way. During the event, Fesaha expressed his gratitude towards everyone who has contributed to their growth over the years, including five local breweries that have used their coffee in brews. Among the breweries were Holy Mountain, Fast Fashion, Four Generals, Métier, and Hellbent.

Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, chief health officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, explained to TraeAnna Holiday, host of The Day with Trae what you can do to protect yourself from the current uptick in COVID-19 cases throughout King County. According to the King County COVID-19 trends, COVID-19 cases began rising in November and have gradually increased.

Deaunte Damper makes his 2024 return to the Black Media Matters Studios next week as he fills in for TraeAnna Holiday on her show The Day With Trae. Damper will be guest-hosting Monday, January 29 - Wednesday, January 31st with Trae Holiday returning on Thursday, February 1st.

January 6th kicked off SAM Body + Mind’s latest season! Guests immersed themselves in an enchanting night of spoken word, featuring both local talents and global poetry icons such as renowned poet Rudy Francisco.

Join us this week on Back2Besa as we explore some of the most creative and inspiring places and events in Seattle! Vivid Matter Collective co-founder and Queen of Converge Takiyah Ward takes us on a tour of The Understory to discover the incredible art residency of Moses Sun and barry johnson. We also visit Totem Star, where our friends from Ground Zero show us their new studio space in the King Street Station. We relive the Griot Party Experience at Langston Hughes, and get some winter fashion tips from Besa's personal stylist Akia Ronai. Plus Back2Besa contributor TT Frosts takes us to the Commons in Federal Way to learn all about Ena'Vative Hair Studio and their mission.

On Thursday, January 24, Mayor Bruce Harrell, joined by members from the Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects, Alliance for Pioneer Square, and Seattle City Council members, announced the beginning of construction for the Pioneer Square East-West Pedestrian Improvements project at a groundbreaking ceremony.

Back2Besa TV host Besa Gordon very well might be one of the most traveled TV personalities in the Pacific Northwest. Whether it’s planes, trains, or automobiles, in her first 8 months on air Besa has traveled to every corner of the PNW and beyond including Spokane, Portland, Boise, and even Califonia all to bring back the very best stories about the people, places, and things across our region to the FOX 13 Seattle viewing audience.

Today, we revisit CD Panthers: The Marathon. This film took a look at the historic and beloved CD Panthers youth football and cheer program, which has been positively impacting the lives of children in the Central District for decades.

It was the end of an exciting week that started on January 1—a week that was filled with long days for Jaime Mendez and his wife Diana Oliveros, as they launched Se Habla Media and its newscast, Jaime Mendez News, with Mendez delivering his news program live in front of an audience on a Friday, capping the end of a busy week for them.

People braved the cold to attend a community conversation with the Women of the Black Prisoners Caucus, supported by Seattle’s Martin Luther King Jr Organizing Coalition, Creative Justice, Puget Sound Sage, 350 Seattle, and Washington Hall. The event featured spoken-word performances, art stations, and a panel discussion with some of the inspiring women of the Black Prisoners Caucus. Community leaders Dr. Maxine Mimms and Gilda Sheppard also spoke at the event. The event created a space to hear from those who are often not given a voice.

The Seattle Kraken snapped their four-game losing streak, as Vince Dunn returned to the lineup and the team put up six goals on the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. Goaltender Joey Daccord, making his 17th start in the past 19 games, remained rock solid while Tomas Tatar led the way with two goals in the victory.

The January 24th, 2024 Morning Skate for the Seattle Kraken, ahead of their battle against the Chicago Blackhawks later in the day, featured a few returns for the team in terms of players that had been dealing with injury, and potential progress updates.

Every third Saturday of the month, #Back2Besa is joined by Anthony and Marlie Love of Traveling While Black, to get their tips on how to live your best life in Washington State by suggesting things to do, and places to visit. This month, they gave us their recommendations for where people should live when moving to Western Washington.

Do you know about Oble Reed? Well, if not, you need to. Besa Gordon recently caught up with Seattle artist Oble Reed, where they talked about how he grew up listening to contemporary Christian music and his first experience with hip-hop, which was when his dad brought home one of Lecrae’s CDs and instantly became a fan. They also talked about why he doesn’t cuss in his music, what he learned from his most recent tour, what he would say if he could speak to himself ten years from now, and more.