The youth are the truth! Musician and Lavender Rights Project Decrim Director Moni Tep recently joined host The Big O on The Pop-Up! to discuss her dedication to fostering collective liberation and healing both professionally and personally.

Watch Moni’s full interview alongside entrepreneur Keisha Credit at tinyurl.com/KeishaMoni 

Learn more about the Lavender Rights Project at lavenderrightsproject.org 

Tap in with The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. across all Converge streaming platforms. 

What’s your take on Jimothy? Recently on The Pop-Up! with host The Big O, entrepreneur and joy seeker Keisha Credit expanded on her recent Facebook post about Seattle’s latest viral sensation, Jimothy the raccoon. On July 31st, Keisha posted: 

“Seattle loves Jimothy more than Black children’s lives. I wonder who would be fired and what would change if he was shot. But when black children are murdered at school, it’s just a press conference, another headline, and we just have to healing circle through it…… OK.”

Watch Keisha’s full interview alongside musician and non-profit director Moni Tep at tinyurl.com/KeishaMoni 

Tap in with The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. across all Converge streaming platforms.

Is Seattle hip hop on the rise? Pacific Northwest artist and icon Gifted Gab recently shared her insights on the growth and recognition of Seattle’s rap scene during her appearance on The Pop-Up! with host The Big O. 

She highlighted how Seattle rap has evolved into a widely recognized subgenre with enough unique artists and content to establish its own distinct identity alongside major rap hubs.

Don’t sleep on this one. Catch Gifted Gab’s full interview on The Pop-Up! at tinyurl.com/GiftedGab

Tap in with The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. across all Converge streaming platforms. We’re keeping the culture loud and proud! 

How do we truly lock in? Earlier this week, Deaunte Damper sat down with our hometown hero and comedian Nate Jackson who schooled us on what it takes to succeed. Whether you’re topping the Netflix charts or working towards a BBL, the key is “delusional consistency,” he said.

Make sure you catch Nate's Super Funny Comedy Festival happening all week through Sunday, August 16th at Nate Jackson's Super Funny Comedy Club, 1530 Pacific Ave, Tacoma.

Get your tickets at superfunnycomedyclub.com/festival

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

Are y’all feeling the Tacoma Dog? Guest host Elisha Michelle recently welcomed Savo, the founder of Get To Know ‘Em TV, who discussed his viral sensation, the Tacoma Dog, which includes Hot Cheetos, onions, and ranch.

Watch Savo’s full interview on The Pop-Up! at tinyurl.com/SavoTerrance

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

Did you catch the latest Tacoma Takeover last week on The Pop-Up? Guest host Elisha Michelle welcomed motivational speaker and philosopher Terrance Turner, a.k.a. C.A.U.T.I.O.N., who discussed the concept of "pain profiteering.”

Watch Terrance’s recent interview on The Pop-Up! at tinyurl.com/SavoTerrance

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

What inspires you to create? Spoken word artist Darryl Foto recently appeared on The Pop-Up! with host The Big O where he dropped some wisdom and explained the core intentions behind his artistry. He shared his desire to validate the difficult experiences of others and the importance of making people feel truly witnessed and seen.

Watch Darryl’s full interview, alongside singer LIVt, at tinyurl.com/LIVtFoto

Make sure to check out Darryl on TikTok and Instagram.

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

A Lakewood icon joined The Pop-Up! last week. Singer and filmmaker LIVt shared her mission to break down barriers in the film and music industries by creating behind-the-camera opportunities for underrepresented voices, particularly women of color. 

Beyond artistic expression, her goal is to make a direct economic impact by providing experience and breaking down barriers that prevent creators from doing what they love.

Watch LIVt's recent interview on The Pop-Up! at tinyurl.com/LIVtFoto 

Stream LIVt’s fresh new songs now at greentea.lnk.to/SummerCrush

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

King County Council District 2 candidate Miriam Mboya recently appeared on The Pop-Up! to share her vision for a more people-focused King County government.

During her appearance, she emphasized the importance of community involvement, increased transparency in budget meetings, and ensuring that leaders carry the voices of the people into council chambers.

Watch Miriam’s full interview, alongside candidate for the 46th District, State House Ron Davis, at tinyurl.com/MboyaDavis

Learn more about Miriam’s campaign at electmiriam.com

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th. Ballots must be postmarked by this date or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m.

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

#ThePopUp - T-Minus four days until Primary Election Day! Seattle City Council District 5 candidate Silas James recently appeared on The Pop-Up! to share how his lived experience using a wheelchair and a cane informs his perspective on public benefit systems. 

Drawing from over 30 years of navigating these systems and helping others do the same, he expressed his desire to create meaningful change on a larger scale by fixing systemic gaps rather than just assisting individuals one by one.

Watch Silas’ full interview alongside candidate for Washington State Senate, Leg. District 37 Tatiana Brown at tinyurl.com/SilasTatiana 

Learn more about Silas’ campaign at silasforseattle.com 

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th. Ballots must be postmarked by this date or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. 

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms. 

The countdown to Primary Election Day continues. State Senate, District 37 candidate Tatiana Brown recently appeared on The Pop-Up! with host The Big O to discuss housing development in South Seattle.

She explained the importance of self-determination and building housing through models like community land trusts and social housing to combat displacement.

Watch Tatiana’s full interview alongside Seattle City Council D5 candidate Silas James at tinyurl.com/SilasTatiana

Learn more about Tatiana’s campaign at tatianaforwa.org

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th. Ballots must be postmarked by this date or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m.

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

Last week on The Pop-Up!, 46th District State House candidate Ron Davis explained how he would tackle rising living costs, drawing from his own experiences with childcare debt in Seattle. 

He outlined a legislative agenda aimed at expanding affordable housing, boosting public transit, implementing universal free childcare for working families, and appropriately taxing the rich to fund essential public investments.

Watch Ron’s full interview, alongside King County Council District 2 candidate Miriam Mboya, at tinyurl.com/MboyaDavis 

Learn more about Ron’s campaign at voterondavis.com 

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th. Ballots must be postmarked by this date or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. 

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms. 

What makes a good leader? Miriam Mboya, a candidate for King County Council District 2, shared her insights on the importance of experiential leadership on The Pop-Up! last week with host The Big O.

She said that effective leaders should come directly from the community and possess lived experiences, rather than relying solely on theoretical backgrounds, to truly empathize with and solve local crises.

Watch Miriam’s full interview, alongside candidate for the 46th District, State House Ron Davis, at tinyurl.com/MboyaDavis

Learn more about Miriam’s campaign at electmiriam.com

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th. Ballots must be postmarked by this date or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m.

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

No one reps heart and soul like the CD. Washington State Senate, Leg. District 37 candidate Tatiana Brown recently appeared on The Pop-Up! with host The Big O where she discussed housing and affordability issues in Seattle’s Central District.

She emphasized that anti-displacement policies must be at the very center of how housing is approached in the city and state.

Watch Tatiana’s full interview alongside Seattle City Council D5 candidate Silas James at tinyurl.com/SilasTatiana

Learn more about Tatiana’s campaign at tatianaforwa.org

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th. Ballots must be postmarked by this date or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m.

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

Seattle City Council District 5 candidate Silas James recently joined host The Big O on The Pop-Up! where he discussed public safety and infrastructure improvements along Aurora Avenue.

He shared his perspective on decriminalizing consensual sex work for safety and emphasized the urgent need for better sidewalks, lighting, and accessible crosswalks.

Watch Silas’ full interview alongside candidate for Washington State Senate, Leg. District 37 Tatiana Brown at tinyurl.com/SilasTatiana

Learn more about Silas’ campaign at silasforseattle.com

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th. Ballots must be postmarked by this date or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m.

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

Last week on The Pop-Up! with guest host Sean Goode, Washington State Senate, District 43 candidate Hannah Sabio-Howell discussed how her mother's family immigrated to the United States from the Philippines—a background that has shaped her perspective on policy and leadership. 

Watch Hannah’s full interview on The Pop-Up!, alongside Seattle City Council District 5 candidate Nilu Jenks, at tinyurl.com/HannahNilu 

Learn more about Hannah’s campaign at hannahforwashington.com

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th. Ballots must be postmarked by this date or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m.

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms. 

Last week on The Pop-Up! with guest host Sean Goode, Seattle City Council District 5 candidate Nilu Jenks shared her family's background of political asylum, including her aunt's execution in Iran's Evin prison for fighting for freedom.

She explained how witnessing her parents' selfless sacrifices and her family's history of enduring torture inspired her lifelong commitment to fighting for her community.

Watch Nilu’s full interview on The Pop-Up!, alongside Washington State Senate District 43 candidate Hannah Sabio-Howell, at tinyurl.com/HannahNilu

Learn more about Nilu’s campaign at neighborsfornilu.org

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th. Ballots must be postmarked by this date or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m.

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

#ThePopUp - How can we make Seattle more affordable? Recently on The Pop-Up! with host The Big O, candidate for the 46th District, State House Ron Davis expressed his desire for everyone to have the opportunity for upward mobility and the ability to live without financial stress in the Emerald City. 

He discussed how Seattle offers amazing opportunities but argues it has become exclusionary, comparing it to an expensive country club that requires a high financial buy-in.

Watch Ron’s full interview, alongside King County Council District 2 candidate Miriam Mboya, at tinyurl.com/MboyaDavis

Learn more about Ron’s campaign at voterondavis.com

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th. Ballots must be postmarked by this date or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m.

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms. 

#WWConverge #BlackMediaMatters

How do we release generational trauma? QueenCare CEO Monika C. Mathews recently appeared on The Pop-Up! with host The Big O where she shared her passion for opening the Spa House by QueenCare, a safe space dedicated to helping women release generational trauma through body work and spa services.

Watch Monika’s full interview alongside Hey, Black Seattle! founder Kiesha B. Free at tinyurl.com/KieshaMonika 

Learn more about QueenCare at queencareproducts.com 

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms. 

How do we solve homelessness in Seattle? King County Council District 2 candidate Miriam Mboya recently appeared on The Pop-Up! where she discussed Seattle’s homelessness crisis, drawing from her own experience with homelessness.

She emphasized that rather than applying trial-and-error theories, leaders must engage directly with people on the streets to properly categorize their needs and connect them with behavioral health resources.

Watch Miriam’s full interview, alongside candidate for the 46th District, State House Ron Davis, at tinyurl.com/MboyaDavis

Learn more about Miriam’s campaign at electmiriam.com

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th. Ballots must be postmarked by this date or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m.

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

Washington State Senate, District 43, candidate Hannah Sabio-Howell recently appeared on The Pop-Up! with guest host Sean Goode where she discussed how addiction should be treated as a public health crisis in Seattle. She said the issue is tied to a lack of housing, underinvestment in behavioral health care systems, and the fentanyl crisis facilitated by corporate greed.

Watch Hannah’s full interview on The Pop-Up!, alongside Seattle City Council District 5 candidate Nilu Jenks, at tinyurl.com/HannahNilu

Learn more about Hannah’s campaign at hannahforwashington.com

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th. Ballots must be postmarked by this date or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m.

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

Did you catch Council President Joy Hollingsworth on The Pop-Up? Alongside host The Big O, Hollingsworth clarified her position on an amendment regarding a free meals program in Seattle Public Schools.

During her interview, the Council President expressed strong support for the Universal Meal Program accelerated by Mayor Katie Wilson, emphasizing that the current discussion focuses on implementation strategy. She outlined an approach that doubles the investment to $3 million over six years specifically allocated for food assistance to support low-income families and children experiencing homelessness.

Hollingsworth stated that her experience working at the Emergency Feeding Program and Northwest Harvest, alongside key data, informs her decision. According to Hollingsworth, Black Panther Party Seattle Chapter co-founder Elmer Dixon supports the food equity amendment she introduced.

Watch Council President Hollingsworth’s full interview on The Pop-Up! at tinyurl.com/HollingsworthThePopUp

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

Have you heard of Hey, Black Seattle? Last week on The Pop-Up!, speaker and cultural producer Kiesha B. Free gave us some insight into exactly what Hey, Black Seattle! is all about. In her words, it’s a digital hub for Black life in the Puget Sound.

Watch Kiesha’s full interview alongside QueenCare CEO Monika C. Mathews at tinyurl.com/KieshaMonika

Explore Hey, Black Seattle! at heyblackseattle.com

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

Healthcare access is the truth. Recently on The Pop-Up!, Abundance Health CEO Tamica Gant shared her reflections on Black communities in King and Pierce counties in Washington state, describing the areas as educational and financial deserts. She highlighted how these systemic limitations extend to healthcare, where a history of previous harm created deep mistrust toward providers within the Black community.

This weekend, Abundance Health is hosting the annual BIPOC Health & Wellness Fair: 

- Saturday, July 25, 2026 

- 11 AM – 2 PM 

- Eastside Community Center, 1721 E 56th St, Tacoma, WA

- Visit Abundance Health’s Facebook and Instagram for more information

Watch Tamica’s full interview on The Pop-Up! at tinyurl.com/TamicaDeaunte 

Learn more about Abundance Health at abundancehealthllc.com 

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms. 

How do we create a better world for the generations to follow? Speaker, cultural producer, and Hey, Black Seattle! founder Kiesha B. Free views her work as a form of mothering, aiming to create a better world for future Black generations. 

Recently on The Pop-Up! with host The Big O, she described her efforts as participating in a relay race, carrying the baton passed down by her ancestors to complete her part of the journey.

Watch Kiesha’s full interview alongside QueenCare CEO Monika C. Mathews at tinyurl.com/KieshaMonika 

Explore Hey, Black Seattle! at heyblackseattle.com 

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms. 

Do you feel valued in the healthcare system? Abundance Health CEO Tamica Gant recently appeared on The Pop-Up! alongside community advocate Deaunte Damper to discuss what drives her continued dedication to putting on accessible healthcare events for the community. 

As a former teen parent and a product of her people, her purpose is to pour back into others, provide hope, and ensure they feel valued and educated in the healthcare system. 

Abundance Health is hosting the annual BIPOC Health & Wellness Fair this weekend:

•   Saturday, July 25, 2026 

• 11 AM – 2 PM 

• Eastside Community Center, 1721 E 56th St, Tacoma, WA

• Visit Abundance Health’s Facebook and Instagram for more information

Watch Tamica’s full interview on The Pop-Up! at tinyurl.com/TamicaDeaunte 

Learn more about Abundance Health at abundancehealthllc.com 

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms. 

“You are worth it.” QueenCare CEO Monika C. Mathews recently appeared on The Pop-Up! with host The Big O to share her mission of changing the narrative surrounding self-care. She made it clear that everyone is worth the time and energy to be well, regardless of financial status.

Watch Monika’s full interview alongside Hey, Black Seattle! founder Kiesha B. Free at tinyurl.com/KieshaMonika

Learn more about QueenCare at queencareproducts.com

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

Love is in the air! Relationships coach and best-selling author Debrena Jackson Gandy recently returned to the Black Media Matters Studio on The Pop-Up! with guest host Sean Goode for a new edition of The Love Lab With Debrena.

During her appearance, she discussed how God waits for us to ask because asking demonstrates our readiness to receive and accept the answers.

Learn more about Debrena and her work at milliondollarmentor.net‍ ‍

Stay tuned for Debrena’s return to The Pop-Up! on Tuesday, July 28th.

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

How do we best set an example for the next generation? Recently on The Pop-Up! with host The Big O, Braided and Dreaded owner Sharron Hayes shared how her personal triumphs serve as a blueprint for her two sons. By overcoming immense personal struggles, she demonstrated to her children and her community that recovery and positive change are always possible.

Catch Sharron’s full episode alongside community advocate Deaunte Damper at tinyurl.com/SharronHayes 

Learn more about Braided and Dreaded at braidedanddreaded.com 

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

Have you heard of Braided and Dreaded? Recently on The Pop-Up!, the Puyallup-based salon owner Sharron Hayes reflected on the importance of breaking generational curses for her children, and her journey through rehab.

Catch Sharron’s full interview alongside community advocate Deaunte Damper at tinyurl.com/SharronHayes 

Learn more about Braided and Dreaded at braidedanddreaded.com