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.

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 &ldquo;too much.&rdquo;
January has seen the closure of a number of long time Black owned businesses in the Seattle area &ndash; including Jackson&rsquo;s Catfish Corner and Flowers Just-4-U in Seattle&rsquo;s Central District, Plum Bistro in Capitol Hill, La Familia in Des Moines, and Nate Jackson&rsquo;s Super Funny Comedy Club in Tacoma.&nbsp;
When faced with a rising number of Black-owned businesses saying &ldquo;we can&rsquo;t do this anymore&rdquo; Converge Media didn&rsquo;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:
<a href="https://www.whereweconverge.com/supportblackbusiness">Support Black Businesses - Converge Media</a>
<a href="https://www.whereweconverge.com/post/flora-amp-fauna-a-pioneer-square-gem-struggles-amidst-economic-downturn">Flora &amp; Fauna: A Pioneer Square Gem Struggles Amidst Economic Downturn</a>
<a href="https://www.whereweconverge.com/post/ashanti-mayfield-and-creamy-cone-cafe-at-a-crossroads">Ashanti Mayfield and Creamy Cone Cafe at a Crossroads</a>
Besa's recs:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://intentionalist.com/intentionalist-buy-black-card/">Intentionalist Buy Black Card</a></li>
<li><a href="https://umamikushi.com/">Umami Kushi - Yuzu Kosho | Curry Bread | Seattle Yakitori</a></li>
<li><a href="https://florafaunaplants.com/">Flora + Fauna</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.moevegan.com/">Moe Vegan Seattle Best 100% Vegan Soul Food</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fatschickenandwaffles.com/">Fat's Chicken and Waffles | Southern Food | Seattle, WA, USA</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Converge Media's Besa Gordan talks about the Support Black Business Campaign.

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