Carl Maxey Center Digital Archives: Preserving Spokane's Black History
Title
Carl Maxey Center Digital Archives: Preserving Spokane's Black History
Description
The Carl Maxey Center (CMC) is a Black-led and Black-centered non-profit, 501c3 organization, based in the East Central neighborhood of Spokane, Washington. CMC is both a neighborhood cultural center and gathering place, as well as a community based organization that provides programs and services focused on addressing the needs of Spokane's African American/Black community. On October 14, 2023, the CMC partnered with the Spokane Public Library, Eastern Washington University, the Museum of Art and Culture, and the Spokane Historic Preservation Office, to hold a Community Scanning Day. This event was centered on founding a Digital Archive dedicated to preserving Spokane’s Black history, by inviting members of the community to bring in items to be scanned and added to the digital collection. The Carl Maxey Center is excited to build an archive to help share the stories of the rich Black History in Spokane, and to showcase all of the amazing people that have come before us who have helped to establish and improve the lives of African Americans in the Inland Northwest.
Help us grow the archive! If you have items you would like us to scan and add to the collection, please reach out at INSC@spokanelibrary.org.
Help us grow the archive! If you have items you would like us to scan and add to the collection, please reach out at INSC@spokanelibrary.org.
Collection Items
Barrow house
The house of Mrs. and Reverend Peter Barrow that once stood at 2417 E. 2nd Avenue in Spokane, Washington. It was originally built in 1892. Reverend Barrow was an early founder of Calvary Baptist Church and co-published a newspaper titled The Citizen.
Sybill Stafford reviewing photographs with Dr. Joseph Franklin
Sybil Stafford, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Holmes) Stafford, reviews photographs of Black Spokanites from the early 20th century with Eastern Washington University history professor Joseph Franklin.
Black History Month banquet program
Program for a Black History Month banquet hosted by the Eastern Washington University Black Education Program in 1989 at Cavanaugh's Inn at the Park in Spokane, Washington.
Charter for the Spokane Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The 1919 charter establishing a local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Spokane, Washington.
Men's singing group that includes Earl Coates and Kay Workoff
A singing group consisting of at least five Black men. They are wearing white coats and aprons over suits with ties.
Joseph Franklin's history of Black Spokane suggests that the group may be a quintet that performed at the Spokane Club consisting of…
Joseph Franklin's history of Black Spokane suggests that the group may be a quintet that performed at the Spokane Club consisting of…
Spokane Chapter #3 of the Eastern Star
Group portrait of a Spokane chapter of a fraternal organization called the Eastern Star. The women in the chapter wear white dresses, while the men wear dark suits.
Non-commissioned officers club opening at Spokane Army Air Field
Black soldiers mingle around the bar of the Non-commissioned officers club at the opening of the Spokane Army Air Field.
Frances Scott
Educator and lawyer Frances Scott. After teaching Rogers High School, Scott earned a law degree at Gonzaga University, served on the Spokane City Civil Rights Commission and the Washington State University Board of Regents. In 2021, Sheridan…
Congregation of Bethel AME Church
Group portrait of the congregation of Bethe AME Church in Spokane, Washington.
"Black Athletes Challenged Standards Proposal"
!["Black Athletes Challenged Standards Proposal"](https://lange.spokanelibrary.org/files/square_thumbnails/21ddc902ddf25a67b5e573e1fac508ec.jpg ""Black Athletes Challenged Standards Proposal"")
Article from the Eastern Washington University (EWU) student newspaper about whether athletic coaches can enforce policies limiting the political expression of student athletes on the playing field. The issue was raised after a number of Black…
"Fashions, Choir Fete Afro-Culture"
!["Fashions, Choir Fete Afro-Culture"](https://lange.spokanelibrary.org/files/square_thumbnails/7c917a83f09a0b8babfc3530314e96db.jpg ""Fashions, Choir Fete Afro-Culture"")
Photographic essay about a 1969 Black Week events at Eastern Washington State College (now Eastern Washington University) appearing in the EWU student newspaper, the Easterner. The essay includes images from a fashion and a performance by the…
Portrait of Sybill C. Stafford
Portrait of Sybill C. Stafford, descendant of the Stafford family, who were part of the pioneer African American community.
Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Banquet
A banquet for Eastern Washington University's Africana Studies Program and their families.
Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Awards Ceremony
A member of the Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Program at an awards ceremony in Monroe Hall.
Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Awards Ceremony
Dr. Scott Finnie and two members of the Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Program at an awards ceremony in Monroe Hall.
Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Awards Ceremony
Dr. Scott Finnie shaking hands with a student at an awards ceremony in Monroe Hall for Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Program.
Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Awards Ceremony
Dr. Scott Finnie shaking hands with a student at an awards ceremony in Monroe Hall for Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Program.
Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Awards Ceremony
Dr. Scott Finnie shaking hands with a student at an awards ceremony in Monroe Hall for Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Program.
Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Awards Ceremony
Dr. Scott Finnie shaking hands with a student at an awards ceremony in Monroe Hall for Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Program.
Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Event
Dr. Scott Finnie speaking at an event for Eastern Washington University's Africana Studies Program.
Faculty and staff from Eastern Washington University's Africana Studies Program
A group portrait of Faculty and staff from Eastern Washington University's Africana Studies Program.
Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Event
Dr. Scott Finnie at an event for Eastern Washington University's Africana Studies Program.
Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Awards Ceremony
Dr. Scott Finnie speaking at an awards ceremony for Eastern Washington University's Africana Studies Program.
Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Awards Ceremony
A group photo, including Dr. Scott Finnie and students, at an awards ceremony for Eastern Washington University's Africana Studies Program.
Eastern Washington University Africana Studies Event
Dr. Scott Finnie speaking at an event for Eastern Washington University's Africana Studies Program.
Cake celebrating African American Literature Program at Eastern Washington University
A cake celebrating the first anniversary of the African American Literature Program at Eastern Washington University from the academic year 2001-2002.
Dr. Scott Finnie playing basketball for Gonzaga University
Dr. Scott Finnie dribbling toward the basket during a basketball game between Gonzaga University and Weber State University. Finnie went to Gonzaga University on a basketball scholarship.
Ebony Hair Business Card
A business and appointment card for Ebony Hair, a Black-owned hair salon in Spokane owned by Pam Thornton.
Spokesman-Review/Black Lens Business Card
A business card for Amber D. Dodd, the Racial-Equity Reporter for the Spokesman-Review and the Black Lens.
Gifted Hands Salon and Supply Business Card
A business card for Linda Wright, owner and stylist of Gifted Hands Salon and Supply.