Omari Salisbury

Play Ball! - Here is the trailer to @WWConverge latest film that follows @bookiegates and the @BBBInnerCity Kings and @Mariners legend Dan Wilson as they travel to Mississippi and Alabama with @JohnMPerkins in search of baseball, civil rights, and reconciliation. #WWConverge

You've been asking for it... more news, information, community, and culture from Converge Media. Well, let's get it poppin'! In one hour, catch Deaunte Damper (@DamperDeaunte), The Big O (@Omarisal), and Ashleigh McCurdy bringing the vibes in the Black Media Studio. Tune in to The Pop-Up! weeknights at 9 p.m. on the Converge Media YouTube channel: @ConvergeMedia" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@ConvergeMedia. #ThePopUp #WWConverge #BlackMediaMatters

The Mariners 8-3 loss on Steelheads Sunday couldn't overshadow the true significance of the tradition, where the Seattle Mariners permanently weave the legacy of the Negro Leagues into their season. The afternoon was a powerful convergence of history and community, highlighted by a stadium-wide ovation for local historian Stephanie Johnson-Toliver (Auntie Stephanie) and a profound declaration from Anthony Ray Hinton—a man who survived 30 years on death row for a crime he didn't commit—who became a fan for life after seeing the team honor the 1946 Steelheads. This is the story of how honoring the past ripples far beyond the box score, delivering moments of resonance, justice, and light under the Seattle sun. whereweconverge.com/post/beyond-th…

Me and the big homie @MarinerMoose ready for #SteelheadsSunday #TridentsUp

Steelheads Sunday

Who could say no to free help on your FAFSA and WASFA? The Mariners Care Foundation (@Mariners @LosMarineros) is making it possible for all students to access free support when filling out these important financial applications, both in English and Spanish. That includes career training, college, or an apprenticeship. Want to learn more? Visit bit.ly/FundYourFuture… #FAFSAHelp #WASFAHelp #CollegeFinancialAid #StudentSupport #MarinersCare

#ConvergePDX - Congratulations to our Trap Kitchen family in the Rose City on the recent opening of The East PDX by Trap Kitchen. Our cameras were there when the doors opened to the public for the very first time. It’s a full-circle moment for the Trap Kitchen movement. After years of pioneering the culinary scene—from grandma’s kitchen to food trucks and concert venues—they’ve officially opened their "real deal" brick-and-mortar restaurant in Portland’s Central Eastside. This isn't just about food; it’s about a vibe built for us, by us. Between the slow jams and the upscale setting, it’s a space where the community can feel seen, heard, and accepted while showing up in their best fits. The road to this grand opening was "brutal," paved with long nights, missed family time, and two years of relentless work. But for the Trap Kitchen team, that sacrifice is just the "cost of greatness" required to build a legacy that they plan to take from Portland to LA, Miami, Atlanta, and beyond. 📍 Trap Kitchen - Portland Central Eastside 850 SE 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97214 WED-SUN 4pm-11pm trapkitchenpdx.com Produced by: Juma Blaq #TrapKitchen #Portland #Community #BlackOwned #Legacy #ConvergeMedia

🍦 RAINIER BEACH IS SWEETER TODAY!🍦 It was an absolute joy to be at Creamy Cone Cafe today for Ashanti Mayfield’s official re-grand opening! After a five-month hiatus to focus on catering and some much-needed rest, Ashanti is back and "standing on business" in the South End. While the shop was closed, there was a physical and spiritual void on the block. But today, the energy is back! Ashanti is serving up premium, high-quality ice cream and sorbet—and yes, the legendary Banana Pudding flavor is a permanent fixture in the case! What makes this shop truly special is the heart behind it. Ashanti is launching "Feel the Love Fridays" for the rest of the school year. Any student from South Shore K-8 or Rainier Beach High School can stop by on Fridays and ask for a "love scoop" on the house. This beautiful initiative is supported by community donations via Cash App ($CreamyConeCafe), helping keep the shop a safe, joyful space for local youth. How to Support: 📍 Visit: 9261 57th Ave S, Seattle (Rainier Beach). ⏰ Hours: Thursday – Sunday, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM. 💐 Mother’s Day Special: This Sunday, May 10th, they’ll be open 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM with a special Happy Hour for all the mamas! 📱 Follow: Check them out on Instagram for the latest updates and seasonal hours. In a time when small businesses are facing so many hurdles—from HVAC challenges to economic shifts—it is vital that we show up for our local, Black-owned gems. Congratulations, Ashanti! We are so glad you’re back. 🍨✨ @Omarisal #CreamyConeCafe #RainierBeach #SupportBlackBusiness #WWConverge

on wednesdays, we win the series

Yo @SDOTtraffic what’s up with the truck container in the middle of the street on Alaskan Way?

Thank you, @Mariners ❤️

On a sun-drenched Sunday at T-Mobile Park, the Seattle Mariners honored the deep roots of Pacific Northwest baseball by donning the iconic 1946 uniforms of the Seattle Steelheads. While the Mariners faced a tough 4-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals, the afternoon remained a powerful testament to community and culture as Deaunte Damper, host of We Live in Color, was joined in a single row by Julian and Christian Scott, Jimmy and Savari Williams, and Sean Landers to celebrate heritage and mentorship. Seated just across the aisle, Baseball Beyond Borders founder Bookie Gates reflected on the day’s significance and the impact of the $500,000 Steelheads Community Fund in supporting Black-led youth sports. Despite the frustration on the diamond, the group left thankful for the opportunity to come together, honoring the legacy of Seattle’s first professional Negro League team while centering vital conversations on mental health, family, and the city's vibrant Black culture. whereweconverge.com/post/respect-t…

Seattle creator and community organizer Julie-C joined The Pop-Up! for a deep dive into building 'creative solidarity for collective liberation,' challenging the traditional creative economy's corporate metrics. She discussed her revolutionary project, On the Block Seattle, a hyper-local ecosystem supporting over 50 artists through a model based on 'Reciprocity Over Rent' and mutual aid, urging fellow creators to focus on collective strategy and independent, locally-based lanes for survival and growth. whereweconverge.com/post/julie-c-o…

What a remarkable weekend of cinema, connection, and community! The 23rd annual Seattle Black Film Festival came to a vibrant close with an unforgettable wrap party kickback at Métier Brewing, one of the festival's co-presenting partners. From the packed house on opening night to the screenings of over 50 films and specialized youth short blocks, the weekend brought local storytellers and patrons together to celebrate a powerful legacy of Black art and global connection. Whether engaging in practical industry workshops or enjoying the vibrant community atmosphere, attendees left deeply inspired by the unique experience curated by the LANGSTON team. whereweconverge.com/post/from-the-…

Happy Steelheads Sunday! In case you didn’t know, the community comes together after every Sunday Mariners (@Mariners) home game this season at Steelheads Alley (@SteelheadsAlley) brewery across the street from T-Mobile Park (@TMobilePark). Steelheads Alley is a proud Black-owned business and a key part of the Métier Brewing Company (@MetierBrewing) portfolio. To celebrate Steelheads Sunday, we look back at the Takeover: All-Star Edition in 2023, when the Converge Art Queen Takiyah Ward (@tdubcustoms) sat down with artist Damon Brown (@loucreative) to discuss the stunning mural he created at Steelheads Alley. The mural itself depicts a community baseball game at a historic park located close to the current site of Garfield High School. Brown explained that his inspiration came from the Sunday gatherings at the park, where people from all backgrounds across the city would come together to play baseball. After the Mariners play game three against the Kansas City Royals (@Royals) this afternoon in their iconic Steelheads jerseys, make sure you make your way across the street to the Steelheads Alley for some great food, drinks, and community vibes. When: TODAY, Sunday, May 3rd (Immediately following the game) Where: Steelheads Alley (Across from T-Mobile Park), 1201 1st Ave S Unit 2, Seattle Respect the past. Own the future. Sundays are for the Steelheads. #WWConverge #SteelheadsSunday #Mariners #TridentsUp #SupportBlackBusiness #BlackArt

@NikoTamurian Bro, do they have 51 cut in the grass?

Welcome to the Jungle hits. Randy Johnson arrives. What a moment.

Hat game. You still need one of ours 🧢🧢🧢 soulgorilla.co

"I am not afraid to be a line stepper when it's necessary and when it protects others." In a moment from last night's episode of "The Pop-Up" on Converge Media, guest host Deaunte Damper (@DamperDeaunte) asked Ibijoke (Ibi) Idowu-Holiday, a candidate for President of the Seattle Education Association (SEA), what she wants her legacy to be. Idowu’s response centered around her stated commitment to unwavering advocacy. She shared that she wants to be known as a leader who does not back down and who always does what is best for the majority. She emphasized that true leadership often requires ruffling feathers and being the "bad guy" to protect and advocate for those who are marginalized. Idowu, a certified teacher with eight years of experience in special education, brings considerable union leadership experience to her candidacy, including serving as an association representative, strike captain, and SEA board director. Her platform focuses on: Unwavering Advocacy: Standing up for all educators and students, particularly by addressing anti-Blackness and disparities within the district. Unity and Cohesion: Building a more engaged and unified union of over 5,500 members through consistent communication and community building. Safe and Supported Classrooms: Advocating for better social-emotional support and safety for both students and staff. Seattle public school educators have until Friday to cast their votes in the SEA presidential election. Watch this clip to hear Ibi’s perspective on the courage required to lead and the advocacy legacy she aims to build for Seattle's educators. #SeattleEducation #SEAElection #WWConverge #ThePopUp

Last night on The Pop-Up! on Converge Media, we didn’t hold back. We dove deep into a viral and powerful moment from the Seattle City Council, where President Joy Hollingsworth (@JoyHollings) (District 3) laid it all on the line. She used her platform to call out what she termed "performative allyship" and the racially charged abuse directed at City Hall staff—specifically the dehumanizing use of the word "boy" toward Black men. In this segment, we feature the original soundbite from Council President Hollingsworth, followed by a raw, unfiltered discussion between me, Ashleigh McCurdy (from The Sanctuary), and SEA Presidential candidate Ibijoke (Ibi) Idowu. We broke down the historical weight of the language used, the irony of "progressive" racism, and the frustration that comes when rhetoric fails to translate into basic respect for Black lives and labor. From the history of Jim Crow to the current political climate in Seattle, we’re asking the tough questions: How do we move past performance and toward actual accountability? Joy says it’s time to stop giving people excuses, and we’re here for that energy. #ThePopUp #SeattlePolitics #JoyHollingsworth #WWConverge

Seattle Black Film Festival (@BlkFilmSeattle) Program Manager Taylor Freeman recently sat down with host Deaunte Damper (@DamperDeaunte) on We Live In Color to highlight the festival's return this weekend. As a leader of the Pacific Northwest's largest and longest-running Black film festival, Freeman stressed the importance of supporting Black art. The 23rd Annual Seattle Black Film Festival is a platform to showcase local Pacific Northwest talent, helping them enter the festival circuit, connect the global Black diaspora by screening international works, and foster local community. By utilizing Seattle’s LANGSTON (@LHPAI @langstonseattle) as its home base, the festival encourages deep interaction with Black arts and culture, she said. Damper, who will host the red carpet and wrap party, issued a call to action for the community to support these underground films and meet the filmmakers. Freeman's final message to aspiring artists was straightforward: “Just start. Let go of that perfection and then you'll kind of find what you're looking for along the way,” she said. This year's celebration is scheduled to run from April 30th through May 3rd at LANGSTON. Get your tickets at langstonseattle.org. Watch We Live In Color Thursdays at 8 p.m. on all Converge Media streaming platforms. #WWConverge #WeLiveInColor #DeaunteDamper #BlackFilm #SeattleEvents

Last night was the series premiere of The Pop-Up! 🚀 We couldn’t have asked for a more powerful debut than @DamperDeaunte joining us to reflect on his historic appointment as a 2026 Seattle Pride Grand Marshal. As Deaunte pointed out, in the 52-year history of the movement, seeing a Black man from the South End of Seattle being acknowledged in this way is a massive moment—not just for him, but for the entire community. Deaunte isn't just a host; he’s a tireless advocate. Whether he’s in the studio for We Live In Color or out on 12th and Jackson, he is consistently showing up for... everybody. He’s not just talking about the culture—he’s building it, protecting it, and advocating for it in every space he enters. We are beyond proud to have him as a pillar of the Converge family. If you missed the premiere, don’t trip—we’re just getting started! The Pop-Up! is your new home for the realest conversations in the city. 📺 Catch "The Pop-Up!" Weekdays at 9 PM 📍 Streaming across ALL Converge Media platforms Let’s keep that same energy all summer long. What’s poppin’? You’re looking at it. 🏳️‍🌈✊🏾✨ #WWConverge #ThePopUp #DeaunteDamper #SeattlePride2026 #GrandMarshal #SouthEndSeattle #WeLiveInColor #CommunityAdvocacy #TheSoundOfUs #SeattleCulture