photos by Dalin Costello 

#WWConverge On this episode of Back2Besa, we talk Spring fashion trends with my stylist Akia Ronai, we uplift the Northside Step Team as they get ready for the 2024 West Coast National Youth Step Show Competition in Vegas, we get a look at the new Seattle Storm “Center for Basketball Performance” practice facility, we learn how to write your first poem with Converge media procedure and poet, Acacia Salisbury, we see poetry performances from Ebo Barton, Rhea Melina, and Joel Duran, Besa goes to her Dad's job bring your kids to work day at Rite In The Rain. Plus, we have events to know about. Support independent journalism: https://www.whereweconverge.com/donate Follow us on social media: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WWConverge Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wwconverge Twitter - https://twitter.com/WWConverge Questions - https://www.whereweconverge.com/contact All video content is the property of Converge Media.

#BHMSpokenWord - Ebo Barton performs two poems, Absent Father and Open for Business at T-Mobile's Marketing Event, Unplugged Spoken Word for Black History Month.

Ebo Barton is a Black and Filipino queer poet and artist living in Seattle, Washington. They are the 2007 Bainbridge Island Poetry Slam Champion, a five-time finalist of the Seattle Poetry Slam Grand Slam (2009,2010, 2011, 2012, 2015) and the first woman to win Jack McCarthy’s Evergreen Invitational (2011). In 2008, Barton placed 23 out of 72 at Women of the World Poetry Slam and in 2013, placed 16 out of 72 at Individual World Poetry Slam. In 2014, Barton was placed first in the Rain City Slam Championship earning them a spot on the first Rain City Slam National Team. At National Poetry Slam 2014, Rain City Slam placed 7th in the nation. In 2015, they secured a spot on the Seattle Poetry Slam National Team. Seattle Poetry Slam in 2015 went on to Group Piece Finals as the top ten group pieces in the nation. Barton has taught Creative Writing and Performance Poetry at Bent: A Queer Writing Institute. Ela has been featured on National Public Radio, SeattleGayScene.com, Button Poetry, EverydayFeminism.com and King 5 (Seattle) News. Their work has been featured in Adrienne: A Poetry Journal of Queer Women by Sibling Rivalry Press. They are the founder of the Rain City Poetry Slam and adapted the concept of Vancouver’s “Mashed Poetics” to create a similar monthly, music inspired, poetry show, Liner Notes. Barton’s most recent project is a show titled, “How to love THIS Queer Body of Color: An Unapology” Poetry and spoken word addressing “the strength and resiliency it takes to live in the body of a Queer Person of Color.” which debuted October 2015 in partnership with Gay City Arts.

Featured performances: T-Mobile Black History Month Unplugged Celebration Featured poem excerpt: "Silence" We Belong Here Community Workshop Series Featured poem excerpt: "Prayer Response" Community Teach-In at Capitol Hill Organized Protest Featured poem excerpt: "Freedom, Cut Me Loose" To book Ebo Barton, visit www.ebobarton.com

Poet Ebo Barton performs their poem, "Freedom, Cut Me Loose" from their book, Insubordinate. Follow Ebo Barton www.ebobarton.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ebobartonpoetry Instagram: @ebobarton Twitter: @ebobarton Video production by Dalin Costello Follow Dalin Costello Instagram: @shotxstello

Take an inside look at local poet Ebo Barton as they discuss their life growing up, educating on transgender identities and the acceptance of all individuals. SUBSCRIBE for more Sounders FC videos: http://sndrs.com/sbsc Visit SoundersFC.com: http://sndrs.com/ssfc Follow us on Twitter: http://sndrs.com/twtr Like us on Facebook: http://sndrs.com/fbook Follow us on Instagram: http://sndrs.com/ingrm