Our story
This vision builds on the unwavering legacy of two local civil rights champions:
Sandy Williams, founder of The Black Lens and the Carl Maxey Center, advocated fiercely for land return and justice. Her work helped pass SB 5853, a historic bill returning surplus highway land to community hands.
Carl Maxey, Spokane’s first Black attorney and a legendary civil rights advocate, dedicated his life to racial justice and equity. The Carl Maxey Center continues that work today as the anchor for community-led revitalization on 5th Avenue.
Significance to Spokane’s Black Community
East 5th Avenue is the cultural and historical heartbeat of Spokane’s Black community — and increasingly home to Latinx, Marshallese, Vietnamese, and immigrant neighbors. It hosts a vibrant ecosystem of community organizations, historic Black churches, family parks, schools, and local businesses.
The corridor is the largest concentration of Black-led organizations and Black-owned businesses in Spokane and the spiritual home of movements for equity and opportunity in East Central. It is not just a street. It is a symbol.
Impact of Highway Construction
Construction of the I-90 freeway in the 1950s divided the East Central neighborhood north and south. The highway displaced residents and businesses, devastated economic opportunities, and destroyed the historic Liberty Park. I-90 also isolated the smaller, diverse area along East 5th Avenue, leaving residents in the area especially cut off from opportunities. The new US 395 North Spokane Corridor freeway project to be completed by 2030 will intersect with I-90 in East Central with expanded highway infrastructure, reopening historical wounds.
Residents of East Central are overburdened by environmental health disparities, transportation pollution, limited connectivity, and economic exclusion. Rising housing costs and development pressure increase the risk of displacement. But residents are leading the charge to rewrite that future — demanding equitable development, affordable housing, and a voice in what happens next.
Current Challenges
5th Ave Forward Mission
The mission of the Carl Maxey Center - 5th Ave Forward Steering Committee is to collaboratively revitalize the 5th Avenue area through community-driven initiatives focused on affordable housing, economic empowerment, and enhancing neighborhood identity, which are grounded in the principles established by the housing bill SB 5853 (RCW 47.12.120, 47.12.125, 47.12.380). We are dedicated to promoting equity and uplifting the most impacted communities in Spokane by fostering sustainable development, meaningful partnerships, and active engagement of all residents.
group work statement
As members of the Carl Maxey Center - 5th Ave Forward Steering Committee, we are committed to:
1. Community Engagement:
Actively involve residents, local businesses, and stakeholders in the planning and decision-making processes to ensure our initiatives reflect the needs and goals of the community. We will prioritize diverse input through workshops and feedback sessions.
2. Lease Holding Process:
Facilitate an understanding of the lease holding process for community members, ensuring transparent and equitable access to resources and opportunities within the 5th Avenue area.
3. Collaboration:
Work together as a unified team, sharing insights and resources to drive impactful projects that enhance the quality of life in the 5th Avenue neighborhood.
4. Focus on Equity:
Ensure that all efforts prioritize equitable access to housing and economic opportunities for communities that have been historically marginalized and displaced.
5. Sustained Efforts:
Maintain ongoing communication and regular meetings to monitor progress, share updates, celebrate achievements, and adapt our strategies as necessary to meet our goals.