The Kiki ballroom scene in Seattle is thriving, and Converge Media's Deaunte Damper was on the scene at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute to capture the energy and insights of this vibrant community.

#TBT—Because who doesn't love the Fly Blind Guy, Melvin Freeman? We are taking it back to April 2022 and how the Morning Update Show covered his Out of Fokus 2: The Art of Sampling exhibit opening at Made Space below.

Wa Na Wari's annual Walk the Block event once again brought the Central District to life, showcasing a celebration of Black art, culture, and community spirit.

Besa Gordon, host of Back2Besa, joined Erin Mayovsky on Good Day Seattle this morning to preview an upcoming segment on Africatown Plaza, a new affordable housing development in Seattle's Central District. Gordon, who is from the Central District, spoke about the importance of the project, which will provide 126 affordable units on top of retail space in a neighborhood that has seen significant gentrification in recent years.

Can you say, new season, new commercial 😁and this one is with my people from Communion, Re-Sole 206, Jerk Shack Kitchen, and Art Noir. Last month, I posted some BTS photos of me shooting a new commercial for Back2Besa with the FOX 13 Seattle production team at Midtown Square in the Central District, and I can now finally share it with you all. 

Seattle's homelessness crisis continues to disproportionately impact Black residents, who make up nearly 30% of the unhoused population despite being less than 7% of the city's total. Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) is addressing this disparity through Benu Community Home, a low-barrier shelter for Black men that focuses on healing, empowerment, and long-term stability. 

Deaunte Damper and Erin Mayovsky discuss the importance of Cherry Hall in Seattle's Central District, a community space for individuals on the road to recovery from addiction. Cherry Hall provides support regardless of race, creed, or gender, offering a sanctuary for those seeking help.

#TBT — As Africatown Plaza holds its ribbon-cutting ceremony this Sunday at 11 am in the Central District, we look back to 2022 when our cameras were rolling at the groundbreaking ceremony. Congratulations, Africatown Community Land Trust, on this momentous occasion.

We Remember You - Today, we pause to observe the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims by sharing how we covered Seattle’s observance last year at First AME Church. We are losing too many people, too many loved ones, too many futures cut short, too many stories never told. Today, we want you to know that #WeRememberYou.

Who do you remember?

Fat's Chicken and Waffles, a beloved soul food restaurant in the Central District of Seattle, has been serving up delicious, soulful dishes since 2015. Inspired by the rich culinary traditions of New Orleans, Fat's Chicken and Waffles offers a menu that speaks to the soul, featuring classics like chicken and waffles, catfish, red beans, and collard greens.

The We Live in Color season two finale wrap party was a huge success! The event, hosted by Deaunte Damper, was held at Made Space in the Central District and brought together a diverse crowd of friends, family, and supporters.

One year ago, ReSol 206 opened its doors, and what a year it has been! The shop, owned by Takiyah "TDub" Ward, has laughed, cried, and restored countless sneakers to their former glory. But ReSol 206 is more than just a sneaker restoration shop; it's a place where memories are revived, relationships are built, and community is fostered.

In the heart of Seattle's Central District, Jerk Shack is more than just a restaurant; it's a community hub where Chef Trey Lamont shares his passion for Caribbean-inspired cuisine. In a recent interview with Kiesha Garrison from Hey Black Seattle, Chef Trey shared his journey and the inspiration behind his unique menu.

The Central Cafe and Juice Bar is a cornerstone of the Seattle community. Owner Bridgette Johnson, a Garfield High School alumna, is passionate about bringing healthy, fresh food to the area, especially for the students of Garfield and Nova High Schools. Everything at the Central Cafe is made from scratch daily, using fresh ingredients and minimal preservatives.

Each year one of the highlights of the Umoja Festival is the parade, which takes place in the historic Central District. The parade route is lined with cheering crowds, and the participants put on a spectacular show. Drill teams and dancers showcase their talents, and community organizations and businesses come out to show their support.

Umoja Fest, a yearly celebration deeply rooted in Seattle's Central District, marked its 70th anniversary this year with a powerful display of Black culture, creativity, and unwavering community spirit. Held at the historic Judkins Park, the festival was more than just a weekend of festivities; it was a living testament to the enduring legacy of Black excellence in the city.

The Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas kicked off its season with a vibrant event at the historic Lincoln Hughes Performing Arts Institute on Sunday, July 14th. Attendees enjoyed a variety of engaging activities, resources, and performances.

Nestled in the heart of Seattle's Central District is Arte Noir, a haven for Black art and culture. Founded by local legend Vivian Phillips and run by her daughter, Jazmyn Scott, this black art specialty shop and fine arts gallery is a vibrant space showcasing the talent and creativity of the Black community.

The Central District of Seattle was recently the site of a heartwarming reunion, aptly named "Reunion on Union." This vibrant event brought together people of all ages, from elders to young children, to celebrate their shared heritage and the enduring spirit of the CD.

In a recent community gathering at the Prince Hall Masonic Temple, local vendors and community members came together to discuss the meaning of "100 days of peace against gun violence."

Seattle's Central District is home to a unique and impactful organization: Ase Theatre. Formerly known as Griot Girlz, Ase Theatre has been a beacon of creative expression and social change since its founding in 2013.

A look back at how Back2Besa covered Reunion On Union 2023 - The Central District’s biggest family reunion returns this Sunday. Will you be there? More information below:

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.

Last month, Converge Media had the honor of partnering with Africatown Community Land Trust to capture an unforgettable Juneteenth celebration! Hosted by our very own Trae Holiday from The Day With Trae, the event was a testament to our community's strength, resilience, and commitment to progress.

We look back at how Converge Media covered Juneteenth 2023. We centered the story around four different events: a small business pop-up at Communion, Africatown at Jimi Hendrix Park, Roll Around Sea-Town at Judkins Park, and a music celebration at MoPop.

This year’s condensed assembly was short in time but long in meaning and emotion. Students struggled to balance the joy and accomplishment of another school year ending with the sadness and grief of a Bulldog lost, a young life that ended far too soon, and the trauma that still reverberates throughout the campus. It is all still so raw and has brought the realities of life back home to a campus that has struggled with student safety over the years.

#BlackWallStreet - Some of the most respected names in Seattle’s Black business community came together last week at Byrd Barr Place in the #CentralDistrict for Africatown Community Land Trust’s Building Black Wall Street Mixer + Chat. The mixer was hosted by author Debrena Jackson Gandy and keynoted by Central District business icon, Lewis Rudd, co-founder of Ezell’s Famous Chicken.

The Soul Pole has stood tall outside The Seattle Public Library’s Douglass-Truth Branch for almost 50 years. Now, the 21-foot tall artwork – which the Black Heritage Society of Washington State has called a “beacon of Black pride” in the Central District – is starring in a short documentary produced by Seattle’s Converge Media.

Converge Media proudly presents The Postman, a short film produced by Converge Media in conjunction with Vanishing Seattle that highlights Keanna and D'Vonne Pickett who are the owners of The Postman, a shipping and small business services company located on Martin Luther King Way and East Union Streets in the Central District of Seattle.

The Griot Party Experience recognizes the legacy of Black Copper Brown and indigenous people in the Central District of Seattle and honors their contributions through hip-hop, spoken-word storytelling theater.

It was a community reunion in the #CentralDistrict on Sunday as @africatownlandtrust hosted their annual Reunion On Union creating space for those who used to call the CD home but have been displaced over the years to come back home to the neighborhood to fill their hearts, souls, and stomachs. Over 450 seats lined East Union Street between 23rd and 24th Avenue in the shadow of ACLT’s Liberty Bank Building as generations of Central District residents greeted, laughed, and cried.

#JuneteenthSEA - Uplifting Our Traditions: Black people in Seattle celebrated Juneteenth in different ways but for a common cause. From popup tents at Communion Seattle on Union to Roller Skating at Judkins Park, and from musical stars of tomorrow at Jimi Hendrix Park to hip-hop icons of yesteryear at the Museum of Pop Culture. Take a look at Juneteenth in Seattle through the eyes of community members across the city.

Converge Media had the privilege of producing a short film to uplift and celebrate the life of D’Vonne Pickett Jr. and his impact on the CD Panthers. The CD Panthers football program provides the opportunity to play football to over 250 children in the community, and it was a program Pickett cared deeply about. He was head coach for the 6u team which his son plays for, and Converge Media followed their journey through practices and the championship game.

#ThePostman - “Our hero is forever etched in our hearts.”

Yesterday, a section of East Union Street was given the honorary designation of D’Vonne Pickett Jr. Way. In an emotional ceremony, family members and friends of Pickett as well as city officials spoke about the impact he had and what it means to celebrate his life and legacy in this way.