Members of the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association (SBFFA) await the ruling of a King County Superior Court judge over the property title of the association’s historic house. In the three weeks since the court found the defendants in contempt for illegally selling the property, the SBFFA has faced significant internal obstacles leading up to another ruling next week. 

By Besa Gordon - Guess what!, it’s Saturday, which means an all new episode of Back2Besa drops on FOX 13 Seattle and FOX 13 + this weekend. This week, we’re diving into powerful collaborations, Black leadership, and some mouthwatering flavors, so let’s get into it!

Besa Gordon, host of Back2Besa, recently joined FOX 13 News for a conversation with evening anchors Hana Kim and Matthew Smith to introduce her latest series, Profiles in Black Leadership. This new segment takes a deep dive into the lives and motivations of Black leaders across Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia, offering viewers an inside look at the people shaping their communities.

Mayor Bruce Harrell delivered The State of the City Address at Benaroya Hall accompanied by the Garfield High School Band and Drumline and a traditional lion dance. The speech recapped Seattle’s recent evolution while recognizing the immense amount of work still required to solve pressing issues facing the city.

Assistant City Attorney Eddie Lin announced his campaign for the District 2 city council seat on Tuesday.  After being nominated but ultimately not selected by the Seattle City Council for the interim District 2 position last month, Lin’s bid for the seat is now in the hands of the Seattle constituents come November.

Seattle recently hosted a historic event for aspiring baseball players—the MLB ID Tour. This nationwide initiative by Major League Baseball scouts and identifies talented student-athletes in the high school graduating class on 2028/2029, and for the first time, the tour made its way to the Pacific Northwest. The tour rolled into the Mariners Training Center in the Columbia City neighborhood of Seattle. 

#SupportBlackBusiness - Hey Black Seattle, a hub connecting Black residents of central Puget Sound with community organizations and businesses, launched its inaugural "Let's Pull Up!" Community Meetup Tour this month. The first stop on the tour was The Scene in South Park, a Black-owned coffee shop serving up more than just coffee.

On March 8–9, 2025, Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) makes its highly anticipated return to The Paramount Theatre in Seattle with a thrilling lineup of performances, including the world premiere of The Cookout—a bold new work by Robert Garland, DTH’s visionary artistic director.

Seattle Colleges is making higher education more accessible by providing hundreds of scholarships each year to students at North, Central, and South. The application cycle for the 2025-2026 school year is now open, offering financial support to help students achieve their academic goals.

“Thrive” is happening on Saturday, March 15, 6:00-9:00pm, at the WOW Art Gallery in Pacific Place for an evening of community, collaboration, and art at our spring fundraising dinner, Thrive.

#SupportBlackBusiness - As long as Seattle stays hungry, Nita Jackson will be whipping up a batch of her famous five-cheese mac and cheese, a crowd favorite at her pop-up restaurant and private catering business JJ’s House of Soul.

By Besa Gordon - Art vibes anyone? Let's go on a little adventure to the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art for the Black Voices Film Festival. Now, you know I had to hop on that ferry, sail 30 minutes away from Seattle, and pull up to celebrate Black storytelling. This festival was extra special because they were screening four of our very own Converge Media films!

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.