Converge Media wants you to support Black business

What does it take to run a thriving business in Washington? Lately, for a number of business owners around the Sound , the answer seems to be “too much.” January has seen the closure of a number of long time Black owned businesses in the Seattle area – including Jackson’s Catfish Corner and Flowers Just-4-U in Seattle’s Central District, Plum Bistro in Capitol Hill, La Familia in Des Moines, and Nate Jackson’s Super Funny Comedy Club in Tacoma.  When faced with a rising number of Black-owned businesses saying “we can’t do this anymore” Converge Media didn’t just stand by. They launched a campaign to turn things around. This month, the local media organization announced a push to support Black businesses across the Sound. Converge Media's Besa Gordan tells us about the effort and the struggles she's hearing from Black business owners. Guest: Besa Gordon, the host of Back2Besa on Fox13 and FOX Soul/Personality and Digital Manager with Converge Media Related Links: Support Black Businesses - Converge Media Flora & Fauna: A Pioneer Square Gem Struggles Amidst Economic Downturn Ashanti Mayfield and Creamy Cone Cafe at a Crossroads Besa's recs: Intentionalist Buy Black Card Umami Kushi - Yuzu Kosho | Curry Bread | Seattle Yakitori Flora + Fauna Moe Vegan Seattle Best 100% Vegan Soul Food Fat's Chicken and Waffles | Southern Food | Seattle, WA, USA Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.