Deaunte Damper, the guest host of Back2Besa, joined Erin Mayovsky on Good Day Seattle earlier this week to recap some of his experiences during Seattle Pride Month 2024. Deaunte, a dedicated and well-respected leader in the LGBTQ+ community, shared his enthusiasm for the vibrant celebrations that took place throughout the city.

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.

With her upcoming record, The Revenge, set to release this Sunday, Seattle-based musician and performer TeZATalks is approaching a significant milestone she has been working towards since her musical beginnings. Known for her unique "Hardcore pop" style—a fusion of nu-metal, punk, and electro-pop that has captivated millions of fans—TeZA is offering a preview of her debut album, Black Girl American Horror Story, a discography of work anticipated to be her most authentic and compelling to date.

Just ahead of the final day of Seattle Kraken development camp, general manager Ron Francis announced that the team had signed 2024 1st round pick Berkly Catton to his entry level contract.

Seattle's vibrant film scene came together last month as Scope Screenings, the city's leading platform for short films, hosted its latest event. Founded in 2022 by Lex Scope, the festival has quickly become a beloved hub for showcasing exceptional short films, music videos, and short-form content.

Brad Finegood recently stopped by The Day With Trae, hosted this week by Besa Gordon, to discuss overdose prevention. Finegood is a strategic advisor for King County and leads the overdose prevention efforts for Public Health, leveraging his extensive experience in the field.

Finegood began by acknowledging the significant changes in recent years, noting the convergence of the pandemic and a shifting drug supply around 2019-2020. He observed a dramatic rise in synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl. 

Chardonnay Beaver to host a documentary screening and book signing on January 20th at Seattle’s iconic Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

The WOW Gallery was filled with joy and laughter on Juneteenth as Black women from all walks of life came together for a special brunch celebration. The event, organized by Veronica Very, founder of Wonder of Women, was a day of remembrance, empowerment, and sisterhood.

In this episode of "The Day With Trae," Back2Besa's very own Besa Gordon fills in for Trae to sit down with Jaebadiah S. Gardner, the founder and CEO of GardnerGlobal. In his conversation with Gordon, Gardner delves into various topics beyond his professional achievements, highlighting the importance of side hustles, effective money management for success, and investing in yourself first.

Starting his musical journey as he walked the halls of Garfield High School, Gabriel Teodros found the love of music, grabbed hold of it, and didn’t let go. As a student in 1996, he started writing music and taking the art seriously, and a year later, after moving to Las Vegas, he eventually took the stage for his first performance. Despite moving to Nevada for some time, at 18, Gabriel found his way back to Seattle in 1999 and started performing there.

The Seattle Storm will have two representatives in the 2024 WNBA All-Star game, as guard Jewell Loyd will be on Team USA ahead of the Paris Olympics and forward Nneka Ogwumike earns the nod to be on the team representing the league.

The Downtown Seattle Association's (DSA) popular summer concert series, Downtown Summer Sounds, is back for its 45th year, offering a diverse range of free performances across 13 venues in the heart of the city. This year's lineup, the most diverse in the series' history, features a wide variety of acts, from local bands to world-champion breakdancers and even a musician creating sounds through the bioelectricity of mushrooms, promising something for everyone.

Seattle recently came alive with a vibrant Juneteenth celebration, showcasing the city's dedication to honoring Black history and fostering community unity. The Africatown Community Land Trust's Summer of Soul Juneteenth celebration, hosted by Trae Holiday, drew a diverse crowd eager to commemorate this important day in American history.

In the wake of a recent shooting outside of Garfield High School, King County Councilmember Zahilay has outlined several actions he says his office is taking to address gun violence in the Central District. Zahilay acknowledged the pain and impact gun violence has had on the community and emphasized the need for a multi-pronged approach to tackle the issue.

Recently on The Day with Trae, Jerrell Davis, known creatively as Rell Be Free, stopped by to discuss his upcoming music releases and ventures in film with host Trae Holiday. Davis is a multifaceted artist and community organizer based in Seattle's South End. He shared insights into his artistic journey, upcoming shows, and his commitment to supporting emerging artists and community initiatives through his music and performances.

Recently on The Day With Trae, Fancy Vargas, CEO and Creative Director of Elevate PR Management, joined host Trae Holiday to discuss her latest initiative, the Bellevue Art Museum gift shop. Vargas curates art that reflects diverse voices and experiences in the gift shop.

Recently on The Day With Trae, Eleuthera Lisch visited host Trae Holiday to discuss the Regional Gun Violence Community Resource Guide. Lisch is the Director of the Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention at Seattle & King County Public Health. She shared insights from her extensive work in gun violence prevention and emphasized the importance of community-driven solutions. 

Recently on The Day with Trae, Ashley McGirt-Adair, MSW, LICSW, and Trauma Therapist at the Therapy Fund Foundation, stopped by to talk with host Trae Holiday. She discussed how parents can cope with trauma, drawing from her extensive experience and expertise.

This Wednesday, June 26, Mayor Bruce Harrell made an announcement at Seattle University that Seattle's Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) team will expand its staff and presence throughout the city.

The Rainier Valley Food Bank (RVFB) recently held a celebration to mark the beginning of renovations that will transform the existing food bank building into an expanded Community Food Hub. The renovations, slated for completion in Fall 2025, will enable RVFB to serve more people in the area's most diverse neighborhood with nutritious, culturally relevant food and expanded access to partner services.