Seattle got a true taste of Southern tradition at the Northwest Gumbo Cook-Off, held at Zanadu Studios in Auburn, Washington. This vibrant event brought together two talented chefs—Chef Red of Come Eat Daddy and Chef Wally of Seattle Soul Food Kitchen—for a friendly yet fierce competition. With live music, rich aromas, and an energetic crowd, the night was a full celebration of food, culture, and community.

On Sunday, February 16, at the Wildrose Bar in Seattle, friends, family, and community members gathered for a bittersweet celebration of Shelley Brothers’ life and legacy. The bar and outdoor spaces overflowed with love—laughter and tears blending as guests embraced, shared stories, and honored Shelley’s memory.

Andre Franklin discussed BUILD 206's mission to develop leadership in black men and boys. He highlighted their community events, partnerships, and the Black Build Black Wealth Incubator Program, which offers funding and support to young entrepreneurs.

Seattle’s music scene was in full effect on February 2, 2025, with the "Legendary AF" event—a gathering of artists, producers, media professionals, and music lovers. Held at Zanadu Studios in Auburn, the event showcased the range of talent in the Pacific Northwest while giving creatives a space to connect and collaborate.

#SupportBlackBusiness - In a moment of joyful solidarity and support in Black History Month, three Black woman-owned businesses came together at The Postman in Seattle’s Central District on Thursday to launch their new candle collaboration called “Together.” 

#SupportBlackBusiness - Caribbean hands sifting through Washington soil represent the cultural intersection at YES MA! Backyard Farm, a small family farm in Puyallup.

Simon Okelo discussed the Madaraka Festival's origins and growth since 2014. The event supports youth programs in East Africa, unites African communities, and celebrates Kenyan independence. Entering its 11th year, the Madaraka Festival is scheduled for September 6 at Pier 62 in Seattle.

The Seattle Public Library is once again offering free in-person tax preparation services at 12 library locations through mid-April. This valuable service, offered in partnership with United Way of King County (UWKC) and AARP, aims to assist individuals and families with their 2024 tax returns.

Besa Gordon appeared on Good Day Seattle with Erin Mayovsky to discuss a special collaboration for Black History Month. The segment focused on the "Together Candle," a project that brought together three Black-women-owned businesses. Noir Lux Candle Bar created the candle, Jesse Lipscomb designed it, and you can purchase your candle and ship it to a loved one from The Postman.

By Besa Gordon - ☕ #SupportBlackBusiness Coffee lovers, this one’s for you! Let's talk about The Station Coffee Shop, a Black and Latino-owned gem in Seattle's Columbia City—literally right across from the light rail 🚆. You might recognize this spot from Back2Besa when we highlighted 3 Black-owned coffee shops, and trust me, it's STILL a whole vibe.

Demontrice Bigham's powerful conversation with Trae Holiday on The Day with Trae sheds light on the critical need for mentorship among young Black queer men. As the founder of the Alain LockE Initiative, Bigham draws from his experiences as a former Director of Housing at an HBCU and his own journey of self-discovery to address the guidance gap in our community.

By Besa Gordon - It’s time! Huge thank you to everyone that entered our Buy Black Card by Intentionalist giveaway, I’m super hype to not only pick the winner, but thanks to me teaming up with Presidential Transportation, I’ll even able to deliver them to you personally.

#SupportBlackBusiness - Founder of Intentionalist, Laura Clise, discusses Intentionalist's mission to support diverse local businesses, the Buy Black Card initiative, and Black History Month collaborations with Seattle sports teams to promote intentional spending in black-owned establishments.

Mental Health Expert, Chevonna Gaylor discusses mental health strategies with Trae Holiday, emphasizing the importance of staying present, choosing productive responses to emotions, and maintaining community connections during challenging times.

Experience the power and beauty of Black artistry at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art's "Radiant Reflections" exhibit. This exhibit showcases the immense talent of nine local Black artists: Monae Brown, Charde' Brown, Jessie Lipscomb, Yolanda Galery, Charles Conner, Jeremy Goodie, Symonne Larison-Jones, James Wilson, and Malcolm Ford.

"Back2Besa" is gearing up for a special primetime episode that promises to be a celebration of Black excellence and community. Airing on Saturday, February 15th at 7 pm on FOX 13 Seattle, as well as Sunday at 6 pm and 10 am on FOX13+, this episode will showcase a range of stories and events that highlight the vibrancy and resilience of the Black communities across the region.

Northwest Tap Connection presented Voices of the Civil Rights Movement yesterday at Rainier Beach School's Paul Robeson Performing Arts Center. The performance explored the Civil Rights Movement through music and dance, spanning the Underground Railroad, Harlem Renaissance, the Black Pride movements of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, and the Black Church, with children's songs and a revival of Black pride and African connection.

#SupportBlackBusiness - Catrice Dennis, the self-proclaimed melanated Miss Frizzle, operates her mobile classroom Teaching with Love and Care (TLC) from a shuttle bus based in Federal Way. With the help of her daughter Asiyah Davis, Dennis brings her passion for nature and experiential learning to young children and parents who struggle with aspects of traditional education.

#SupportBlackBusiness One of the businesses that recently reached out for a Black Business Uplift was Noir Lux Candle Bar, a Black-owned candle-making experience in Downtown Seattle. Besa Gordon, Trae Holiday, DeAunte Damper, and Takiyah “T Dub” Ward—stopped by for some team building and to show love to a thriving local business.

Winfield Ezell Jr joins Trae in the Black Media Matters Studio. He talks about his new role with Converge Media as the Chief Storyteller and how he's bringing his longstanding career expertise to the team. Winfield shares his journey from Mississippi to the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing the power of community-driven narratives.