Converge Media

We create Emmy Award Winning street-level news coverage for black and urban audiences across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. #BlackMediaMatters

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

The Pop-Up! host The Big O recently welcomed Anzhane Slaughter, the founder and CEO of Young Black Homeowners (YBH), to the Black Media Matters Studio. Slaughter is a former law and policy professional who transitioned into real estate to make an impact on Black families in Washington state. (Read more here)

https://t.co/Kv1V71PcyD

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

#ThePopUp - How do we best set an example for the next generation? Recently on The Pop-Up! with host The Big O (@Omarisal), 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 https://t.co/q4h79P2O4K

Learn more about Braided and Dreaded at https://t.co/yehZdppiBO

#WWConverge #BlackMediaMatters

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

On this week’s episode of the Mother’s Justice Show on 1150 AM KKNW, I sat down with Judge Nyjat Rose‑Akins, a King County District Court pro tem judge who is now running to make it official and be elected to the bench. (Read more here)

https://t.co/6jDXJJVial

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

Community organizer and cultural curator Prince Reece recently appeared on The Day With Trae with host Trae Holiday to discuss the origins of his advocacy and share details about the upcoming 2026 Skyway Nia Festival. (Read more here)

https://t.co/w0G4mxYjNH

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

#TheDayWithTrae - Education is dedication! The University of Washington’s (@UWCollegeOfEd) Dr. Dana Nickson recently joined The Day With Trae with host Trae Holiday (@HolidayTraeanna) to discuss the resilience and power she has witnessed within Black communities navigating educational systems.

She emphasized the importance of uplifting the wisdom and knowledge that people carry, pointing out how Black students' dedication proves their deep value for education.

Watch Dana’s full interview on The Day With Trae at https://t.co/aQjvRXk1Ej

Catch “The Day With Trae” Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

#WWConverge #TDWT #BlackMediaMatters

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

Seattle's waterfront is set to transform into the ultimate hub for athletic excellence and community spirit this summer. Seattle Basketball Weekend returns from July 31 to August 2, 2026, as a celebration of community, health, and mentorship. (Read more here)

https://t.co/0SgVmPAiFo

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

#TheDayWithTrae - Najee Ladd-Ali, co-founder of the Daddy Stroller Social Club Seattle, recently joined host Trae Holiday (@HolidayTraeanna) on The Day With Trae to celebrate the organization's upcoming one-year anniversary. Joined on set by his young daughter, Ladd-Ali highlighted how the club has created a space for local fathers to find community and emotional support.

Central to the club's impact is their signature concept of "striding,” a method of pairing physical movement, like walking through local parks or gyms, with guided, meaningful dialogue. Ladd-Ali explained that this approach helps members break through societal expectations that often pressure men to remain stoic and internalize their struggles.

The community is invited to join the celebration of this successful first year on July 19th at 10 a.m. at Powell Barnett Park in Seattle's Central District. This family-centered event will feature community partners, resource distribution, and giveaways for local families. Whether attendees are fathers, grandparents, or neighbors, the milestone is an open celebration of the collective family unit.

RSVP for the Daddy Stroller Social Club Seattle 1-Year Celebration on July 19th at 10 a.m. at Powell Barnett Park here.

Those interested can learn more about the movement at https://t.co/lETZDqHhHI.

Catch “The Day With Trae” Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

#WWConverge #TDWT #BlackMediaMatters

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

#ThePopUp - Love is in the air! Relationships coach and best-selling author Debrena Jackson Gandy (@TheDebrena) recently returned to the Black Media Matters Studio on The Pop-Up! with guest host Sean Goode (@The_Joy_Journey) 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 https://t.co/OL3ZTNqeYn

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.

#WWConverge #BlackMediaMatters

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

Multi-disciplinary artist Cal Bonner returned to the Black Media Matters studios for a recent episode of The Pop-Up!, hosted by The Big O. The Seattle-based creative entrepreneur opened up about his creative journey, struggles with accountability, and how fatherhood has radically elevated his life frequency. (Read more here)

https://t.co/NZiyYPuW3O

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

Now’s your chance to start advertising with "We Live In Color"! Hosted by the one and only Deaunte Damper, “We Live In Color” offers a one-of-a-kind gateway to an engaged audience across the Pacific Northwest that trusts us to tell local Black queer stories.

To schedule a consultation, contact [email protected]

#WWConverge #WeLiveInColor #BlackQueerVoices #PacificNorthwest

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

Get inspired by the raw, energetic, and culturally significant art of the Pacific Northwest at the Seattle Art Museum. Their exhibition Beyond Mysticism showcases artists who didn’t just observe; they spoke truth to power using paint and canvas, addressing the environmental and social pressures of a quickly evolving Seattle. This is your chance to connect with the roots of our regional identity.

When? Now through August 2, 2026

Where? Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave, Seattle

Get your tickets today at https://t.co/eBp7SoELKZ

#SeattleArtMuseum #BeyondMysticism #NorthwestSchool #PacificNorthwestArt #SeattleArt

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

#ThePopUp - 🚨Heads up, Seattle!🚨Starting Monday, July 20th, The Pop-Up! is moving to a brand new time. Catch The Pop-Up! live weeknights at 7 p.m. across all Converge platforms so you can stay locked in with everything happening in our community.

On The Pop-Up!, the culture, the music, and the conversations that shape Seattle are what we do. It’s your daily, front-row seat to the heartbeat of the Pacific Northwest. From the streets to the studio, we are dedicated to amplifying the voices that matter most to you as we keep moving the movement.

Kicking off Monday, July 20th, tune in to The Pop-Up! at 7 p.m. on all Converge Media streaming platforms.

#WWConverge #BlackMediaMatters

[Brian Callanan @callananseattle]

The @SeattleCouncil wants to fix what some call a "failed" drug use/possession law, requiring @SeattlePD officers to connect w/service providers in the field for diversion alternatives, a so-called "warm handoff." @KromanDavid & I discuss: https://t.co/jZHBzEylRU @WWConverge

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

#ThePopUp - We’re coming in hot tonight! At 9 p.m. on The Pop-Up!, Hey, Black Seattle! founder Kiesha B. Free and QueenCare (@QueenCareSkin) CEO Monika C. Mathews join host The Big O (@Omarisal) for a conversation on Black self-care, community, and what it takes to bring people together in today’s day and age. 

Tune in to tonight’s show at 9 p.m. on the Converge Media YouTube channel: https://t.co/uNGFBk7URp.

Next week, The Pop-Up! is switching it up: starting Monday, July 20th, the show will air LIVE AT 7 PM, instead of 9 p.m. Make sure you don’t miss it!

#WWConverge #BlackMediaMatters

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

#ThePopUp - 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 (@DamperDeaunte) at https://t.co/q4h79P3lUi

Learn more about Braided and Dreaded at https://t.co/yehZdppQrm

#WWConverge #BlackMediaMatters

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

The wait is over, Seattle. After nearly a year, healing arts studio Inside is officially bringing back its Open Mic Night, and this time, they’re planting roots. Starting Friday, July 31st, Inside has found its forever home at Colman Commons. This return isn’t just a restart; it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and the voices that make our city incredible. (Read more here)

https://t.co/oy0yV5fV0d

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

#TheDayWithTrae - How do we create a sense of place? Dr. Dana Nickson, an assistant professor at the University of Washington College of Education (@UWCollegeOfEd), recently appeared on The Day With Trae with host Trae Holiday (@HolidayTraeanna) to discuss how historically Black neighborhoods were created and stewarded despite anti-Black policies.

Watch Dana’s full interview on The Day With Trae at https://t.co/aQjvRXjtOL

Catch “The Day With Trae” Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

#WWConverge #TDWT #BlackMediaMatters

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

On Monday's episode of The Pop-Up!, The Big O sat down in the Black Media Matters studio with Sharron Hayes, owner and lead stylist of Braided and Dreaded, for a powerful, heartfelt conversation that went far beyond hair.

In this episode of The Pop-Up!, Sharron opened up about her journey from serving as a two-time combat Army veteran to building a thriving braids and locs business rooted in sobriety, faith, and purpose. She shared how getting sober, surviving family tragedy, and choosing a different path for her three children led her to create a space where Black and brown folks can keep their culture, confidence, and professionalism intact—from JBLM soldiers to everyday families, elected leaders, and pro athletes like JP Crawford, WNBA star Jewel Loyd, and more.

O and Sharron also dug into the realities of small business in Washington—rising costs, pivots after COVID, and the importance of creativity and resilience, from home-based salons to luxury mobile services. Sharron spoke candidly about losing her social media accounts, rebuilding her digital presence, and staying committed to community, even offering bundle deals so families’ kids can still show up fresh for school.

At the heart of it all, Sharron reminded viewers that Black joy, recovery, and entrepreneurship can coexist—and that representation, from the shop chair to the big stage, truly matters.

Tap in to hear the full story of revival, resilience, and purpose with Braided and Dreaded.

Watch the full episode: https://t.co/Z49wTBJe4V

Learn more about Braided and Dreaded: https://t.co/MCn5if9DxY

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

#TheDayWithTrae - Host Trae Holiday (@HolidayTraeanna) recently sat down with Priyansha Bagaria (@priyansha_ba), the CEO and co-founder of Seattle-based Loopr AI, on The Day With Trae. A fourth-generation entrepreneur with roots in a manufacturing family business, Bagaria discussed her journey from her upbringing in India to the creation of her innovative tech startup. By applying data science and computer vision to the factory floor, she aims to solve the persistent quality control challenges she witnessed firsthand throughout her career.

Bagaria highlighted how Loopr AI addresses the "high-mix, low-volume" crisis currently facing modern manufacturers. As production lines handle increasingly complex and custom orders, manual tracking has become error-prone and labor-intensive. Loopr AI serves as a "four-eye technology," providing an extra layer of digital inspection to prevent costly reworks and errors, while also helping to bridge the labor gap as seasoned manufacturing veterans begin to retire.

Since its founding in 2021, the company has expanded to a team of nearly 30 employees and recently earned the prestigious 2026 GeekWire Award for its contributions to the industry. Looking ahead, Bagaria remains committed to transparency, positioning the startup as a trusted, long-term partner for clients in manufacturing and aerospace.

Those interested in learning more or connecting with the team can find further information at https://t.co/q993gtiw8W or through LinkedIn.

Catch “The Day With Trae” Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.

#WWConverge #TDWT #BlackMediaMatters

[Converge Media @WWConverge]

#ThePopUp - More news, headlines, and cultural conversation are coming your way! Tonight on The Pop-Up!, host The Big O (@omarisal) sits down with Abundance Health CEO Tamica Gant and community advocate Deaunte Damper (@DamperDeaunte) to discuss the realities of Black people in the healthcare system and the 3rd Annual BIPOC Health & Wellness Fair happening Saturday, July 25th.  

Tune in to The Pop-Up! weeknights at 9 p.m. on the Converge Media YouTube channel: https://t.co/uNGFBk7URp.

#WWConverge #BlackMediaMatters