Bringing the Central District’s History to Life: An Evening with Stephanie Johnson-Toliver

Date and Time: February 4, 2026, 7-8:15 p.m.

Location: Grace United Methodist Church, 722 30th Ave S, Seattle

As Seattle continues to grow and change, conversations about development often focus on what comes next—new housing, new businesses, and new infrastructure. But historian and community leader Stephanie Johnson-Toliver argues that the most effective and equitable development begins with a clear understanding of what has already shaped a place.

In honor of Black History Month, Johnson-Toliver, president of the Black Heritage Society (BHS) of Washington State, will speak at Grace United Methodist Church on Tuesday, February 4, from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Her presentation, An Evening with Stephanie Johnson-Toliver, uses the history of Seattle’s Central District not as a distant past, but as a living guide for building strong, inclusive communities today.

Rather than presenting history as dates and facts alone, Johnson-Toliver will bring it to life through stories, archival materials, and the everyday landmarks many residents pass without realizing their significance. By weaving together historical documentation with present-day challenges, she shows how community—formed through shared experience, challenges, and resilience—has long defined the Central District’s identity.

A fourth-generation Seattleite, Johnson-Toliver is widely respected for her work preserving historically significant sites and amplifying stories that are overlooked or forgotten. In addition to leading the Black Heritage Society, she co-leads the Historic Central Area Arts & Cultural District and serves on the boards of the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) and the Washington Secretary of State’s ALL Foundation-Legacy Washington.

Her talk will draw on the Black Heritage Society’s extensive collections, which include turn-of-the-century documents, oral histories, and one of the largest regional collections of African American memorabilia in the Pacific Northwest. Through these materials, Johnson-Toliver traces the Central District’s emergence as an early hub of Black life in Seattle—revealing how policy decisions, migration, and community organizing shaped the neighborhood.

Stretching roughly from John Street to Irving Street and from 12th Avenue east to 34th Avenue, the Central District developed in large part because of racially restrictive housing policies that limited where people of color could live. These policies affected not only Black residents, but also Asian and Jewish families, creating a neighborhood bound by shared exclusion—and, over time, shared purpose.

“The history of redlining is complicated,” Johnson-Toliver explains. “As things opened up, gentrification occurred. We need to learn from these changes and plan for development in a way that ensures all community members benefit.”

Johnson-Toliver highlights institutions that have long anchored community life, including Grace United Methodist Church, Washington Hall, the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, Garfield High School, and Mount Zion Baptist Church. Their roles have evolved over generations, but their continued presence tells a story of resilience and innovation that still shapes the neighborhood today.

An important part of the Central District’s identity is its role in the Civil Rights movement, producing organizations and individuals who influenced both local and national changes for equity and justice. Johnson-Toliver will describe events when bold leadership led to thoughtful policies that supported community preservation—even as businesses and arts organizations experienced cycles of growth and displacement.

She will also discuss exciting current initiatives that apply historical lessons to today’s challenges. Among them is the Africatown Community Land Trust, which acquires property to promote long-term stability and help former Central District residents return to the neighborhood. Also noticeable is the re-emergence of Black-owned businesses contributing to the vitality of the Central District. A third example is the William Grose Center for Cultural Innovation and Enterprise, which supports Black entrepreneurship in business and technology.

Looking ahead, Johnson-Toliver will explain the importance of long-term thinking and civic engagement. She encourages residents to pay attention to major initiatives such as the Seattle Comprehensive Plan 2035, a 30-year blueprint guiding decisions on housing, transportation, parks, and public investment. In addition, the plan includes a process for community outreach and engagement for residents who want to have input into City policies and plans.

She also highlights the Garfield Superblock Development, a community-led project that includes renovations to Garfield Playfield, a permanent public art installation, and the Legacy Park Promenade, a pedestrian walkway linking historic sites, including the former playfield of Seattle’s first Black baseball teams. Artists and craftspeople are already at work and visitors can see how history is being transformed into a beautifully designed space that is open and welcoming.

For Johnson-Toliver, history is not simply something to be remembered—it is something to be used.

“When we understand how communities were shaped, we can make better choices about how they grow,” she said. “History gives us the tools to maintain character and livability. These are investments that go beyond ownership and can lead to a future that is more inclusive and connected.”

~Diane Aboulafia