Mayor Bruce Harrell, in collaboration with representatives from the King County Council, the Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and community-based organizations such as Urban Family, Alliance for Gun Responsibility, and Community Passageways, launched an initiative on Wednesday called "100 Days of Action." This new blueprint is dedicated to combating gun violence throughout Seattle.

Deaunte Damper, guest host for Back2Besa, recently appeared on FOX 13’s Good Day Seattle with Erin Mayovsky yesterday. He shared his experience at the Young and Talented Showcase last weekend in South Seattle at the Black & Tan Hall, emphasizing the importance of empowering young people.

Scope Screenings, Seattle's leading film festival dedicated to showcasing the best in short films, music videos, and short-form content, kicked off its third season on June 25th at the prestigious SIFF Egyptian Theater. Founded by Lex Scope in 2022, Scope Screenings has quickly become known for its vibrant events that combine film screenings with live discussions and networking opportunities.

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.

The Seattle Theatre Group's ELEVATE program recently showcased the talents of young Black and Brown artists at the historic Neptune Theatre. Among these talented performers was Maya Michelle Russell, a 16-year-old spoken word artist making waves in the Seattle arts scene.

Rowan Schaberg of Circling Seattle Sports provides is top takeaways from the thrilling Seattle Storm loss to the Las Vegas at Climate Pledge Arena, late into their historic nine-game homestand.

Despite a strong first half and a push at the very end to bring this game within one big shot, our Seattle Storm fell to the Las Vegas Aces in a matchup that had playoff energy written all over it.

Jabrille Williams, known on stage as Jimmy Scratch James, has a musical journey deeply rooted in a diverse range of influences from his family. Growing up in a vibrant, music-filled household, James was surrounded by an eclectic mix of sounds. His mother introduced him to everything from Chuck Berry to Motown, while his siblings contributed a mix of heavy metal, classical, and pop music, creating a rich tapestry that shaped his musical palette.

Seattle-based Eighth Generation, a groundbreaking art and lifestyle brand owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe, recently Besa Gordon stopped by Eighth Generation for an exclusive tour. Founded in 2008 by Nooksack artist and activist Louie Gong, Eighth Generation is a beacon of Indigenous-owned enterprise, making history as the first Native-owned company to produce wool blankets.

Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of Pride in style with its annual PrideFest. This vibrant event showcased the LGBTQIA+ community with an impressive lineup of performers across three stages, including Aleksa Manila, House of Moschino, Bacon Strip, and many more.

Following two tough games against the Chicago Sky, splitting them at a game each, the Seattle Storm remain focused on their ultimate goal for the 2024 season: contending for a title, and the different challenges that quest will bring throughout the course of the season.

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.

Seattle's Pride Parade is an annual event that brings together members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance. However, the parade is more than just a colorful spectacle; it serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights.

The Lavender Rights Project's annual Black Trans Comedy Showcase, held at the Siff Cinema Egyptian on June 8th, was a resounding success. The event was more than just a night of laughter; it was a celebration of Black trans excellence, a powerful statement of resilience, and a testament to the unwavering spirit of the Black trans community.

Ground Zero Radio (GZR) was on the scene at Metier Brewing Company in Seattle to celebrate Black Music Month with a special live podcast interview featuring Black Stax, legends in the Seattle Hip Hop scene.

Matt Farmer, co-founder of DEFY Wrestling, recently stopped by The Day With Trae with Besa Gordon filling in for Trae Holiday as host of this episode. In this segment, Farmer discussed DEFY Wrestling, how the Seattle-based independent wrestling circuit has become a hub for many emerging talents, and what the organization currently has in the works.

The Seattle Human Services Department announced the return of its Summer Food Service Program, starting July 1st. This vital program, also known as the Summer Meals Program, will be available at 70 locations throughout the city, including 13 in District 3. It ensures that children and teenagers aged 1-18 can access nutritious meals during summer.

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 Theatre Group’s Elevate is a transformative annual program, now four years in the making, that empowers young artists to find their voice and express themselves through spoken word. Each year, Elevate provides a platform for talented young performers to showcase their skills, share their stories, and connect with their community. Converge Media has been a proud partner of STG Elevate since its inception, and Back2Besa is honored to continue this tradition of uplifting youth voices.

We recently caught up with Portland's own Hip-Hop legend, Cool Nutz, a true force in the music scene.l Cool Nutz has been making waves since his early days. Cool Nutz's journey began in the underground, where he honed his skills in basement studios and local venues. His unique sound and unwavering passion quickly gained recognition, propelling him from the local scene to international stages. He has toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia, spreading his music and representing Portland with pride.