Who We Are

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.

Our Mission

We believe it is important to know about the African American/Black experience. We, as a people, are resilient, long suffering, forgiving, uplifting, spiritual, passionate, joyful, innovative, and an integral part of a vibrant community.

Therefore the mission of the Carl Maxey Center is to change lives and improve the well-being of Spokane’s African American/Black community by expanding the educational, economic and cultural opportunities that are currently available, and by addressing the racial disparities and racial inequities that currently exist and have persisted in this area.

We do this by supporting and sustaining the work and programs of the Carl Maxey Center to address four focus areas: (a) Racial & Social justice and Equity; (b) Business/Workforce Development & Economics; (c) Education & Advocacy; and (d) Cultural Enrichment.

The long-term goals of the Carl Maxey Center are to uplift, empower and transform Spokane’s African American/Black community from the inside out, and to create the space, the opportunities and the infrastructure necessary for Black Spokane to identify and design solutions to address current and future challenges.

Betsy Wilkerson

Board President

Betsy Wilkerson Betsy has been an integral part of Spokane for many years, currently serving as the second African American woman on the Spokane City Council. She has been the owner and administrator of Moore's Assisted Living since 1992, continuing the family business that started in 1976. She has a long history of volunteering for organizations in Spokane, including the Women Helping Women Fund, St. Luke’s Community Advisory Board, Junior League of Spokane, the Emmanuel Family Life Center, and the Innovia Foundation. In addition, she served under three governors for 16 years on the Commission for Judicial Conduct and recently completed two board terms on the Inland Northwest Community Foundation.

Rev. Walter Kendricks

Board Vice-President

Reverend Walter Kendricks is honored to serve as Pastor of The Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church of Spokane, Washington, where he has served since 2014. He was appointed by Governor Insless as the Eastern Washignton Reprsentative for the Commission on African American Affairs. He is a founding member of SCAR (Spokane Community Against Racism) and a past President of the the Spokane Ministers Fellowship. He was employed at United Airlines for 35 years, living in numerous locations throughout the United States before retiring in Seattle, Washington in 2012.

Curtis Hampton

Board Treasurer

Curtis Hampton was born in Greenwood, South Carolina and moved to Spokane in 1975 when he was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base. He is a retired Vietnam Era Veteran and a retired Aerospace Operations Manager, having worked at Boeing for 10 years and Triumph for 16 years.

Board Directors

Terrie Ashby-Scott

Board Secretary

Dr. Terrie Ashby-Scott is retired with nearly 30 years of experience in the field of education. She has held positions with Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, the College Success Foundation, Eastern Washington University, and Washington State University Spokane. Terrie has spent 25 years serving on various nonprofit boards of directors and is currently a commissioner for the Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct. She currently serves on the board of Washington Nonprofits.

Wilhelmenia Williams

Member-At-Large

Wilhelmenia Williams is a retired registered nurse who has been a resident of Spokane, WA since 1973. She was married to CSM Thomas E. Williams for 57 years and is proud of her two children and three grandchildren. She has been a member of New Hope Baptist Church for 25 years and is a member of the Spokane branch of the NAACP.

Sylvia Brown

Member At Large

Sylvia Brown is a graduate of the University of Washington. She is proud of her leadership to help others achieve their personal and
professional goals. With 30 years of experience in the telecommunications and insurance industries, Sylvia’s teams have been recognized by JD Power and Associates for ranking highest in customer satisfaction.