In December 2015, the Central Area became Seattle’s second official Arts & Cultural District. The Historic Central Area Arts & Cultural District is located in Seattle’s historically Black neighborhood; a geographic area that was originally redlined, relegating African American residency to this part of the City. We are a collective of Arts & Culture organizations, individual artists, and community members.
The Central Area is a center of Seattle’s Black heritage and history, and the neighborhood has changed due to gentrification. It is our goal to ensure that the Central District remains the hub of Black Arts and Culture.
What We Do
- MISSION To honor the legacy and ensure the future vitality of African and African-American arts and culture in the Central Area.
- VISION The Central Area is a vital and vibrant hub for African and African-American arts, culture, and community.
- VALUES • African-American/African arts stewardship • African-American/African ownership • Community impact • Collaboration • Facilitation • Intergenerational engagement • Transparency
Commitment
It is our intent to claim our history as a former redlined district in pursuit of maintaining, sustaining and uplifting Black Arts & Culture in Seattle.
Preserving the black legacy in the central area
Facilitate as much as possible-Activate as much possible
Become a Resource & Supporting Body
Advocate for Black Artists
Collaboration & Partnerships
Placemaking-Sense of Place
HCAACD FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS
Create and sustain an environment Arts & Culture Development
Pillar 1
Preserving the African and African America legacy in the Central Area
Pillar 2
Sustaining and Strengthening the physical identity and sense of place for cultural relevancy
Pillar 3
Establishing a formalized forum for continued support of artistic creation, economic vibrancy, livability, affordability, desirability and artistic vitality.
Our Story
Who We Are
Sharon Nyree Williams, Chair
Sharon Nyree Williams, loves experiencing life through the artistry of storytelling and leadership. She is a storyteller, EMMY Award and Silver Telly Award winning voice-over artist, producer, presenter, and adjunct professor. She is the Interim Executive Director for Spectrum Dance Theater, co-Chair of the Historic Central Area Arts and Cultural District, KUOW Board of Directors, a former Seattle Arts Commissioner and was the Executive Director for Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas for 10 years.
Stephanie Johnson-Toliver, Co-Chair
Stephanie Johnson-Toliver is a fourth generation Seattleite, and President at the Black Heritage Society of Washington State. She leads a dedicated Board of Directors who are committed to upholding the Society’s mission as collectors and stewards of the largest public archive to preserve African American memorabilia from across Washington State. Stephanie is an advocate for the awareness and recognition of historically significant sites. Beyond BHS, Stephanie co-leads at the Historic Central Area Arts & Cultural District and is a board member at the Museum of History & Industry, Historic Seattle, and Office of the Secretary of State ALL Foundation-Legacy Washington.
Perri Rhoden
Perri Rhoden, affectionately known as thecurlynugget on Instagram, is an Abstract Mixed Media Artist and Muralist from Seattle, Washington. Her artwork is bright, bold, sensual, and full of texture. Her art is inspired by Black women and her manifestations of feminine energy captured on canvas. Perri is kindly lending us her skills as an amazing administrator.