On Wednesday night the Historic Seattle Preservation Awards presented the Preserving Neighborhood Character award to Stephanie Johnson-Toliver on behalf of community stakeholders who contributed to the effort to save the Soul Pole. In June, Converge Media released a short film titled Legacy of the Soul Pole, showcasing the history and rehabilitation of the iconic landmark.

"We are honored to stand with community powerhouses like the Black Heritage Society of Washington State and the Seattle Public Library around the important work of preserving our cultural history and identity. We are so thankful to Historic Seattle for this prestigious award,” Converge Media CEO Omari Salisbury said.

The ceremony took place at the iconic Washington Hall, bringing together individuals and groups from around the city to celebrate achievements in the protection and preservation of Seattle’s culture.

About Historic Seattle

Historic Seattle is a public development authority established by ordinance in 1974. The PDA is dedicated to the protection of architectural heritage through acquisition, education programming, and advocacy within the community. Historic Seattle encourages activism in the preservation of important community landmarks and neighborhood character and also provides referral services to resources that assist and advise on sustaining historic properties.

Preservation Awards
Historic Seattle’s annual preservation awards program showcases and recognizes some of the exceptional public and private projects that preserve and protect Seattle’s built heritage. Since the first year of the awards in 2009, the recipients have included prominent downtown rehabilitation projects, restoration of historic rural places, the preservation of neighborhood character, heritage/architecture publications, and individuals who have contributed greatly to preserving the built environment and educating us about local history.

2022 Preserving Neighborhood Character Award

This award recognizes a single small-scale preservation project that contributes to the character of its neighborhood, and the collaborations and individuals who are doing work to save places and meaningful legacies.

On September 21, 2022 awardees in all categories will be celebrated at the Historic Seattle Annual Benefit. The 2022 Preserving Neighborhood Character is awarded to the Soul Project. More than the conservation of the pole, the project documents and preserves the stories of the community and people who were instrumental through Seattle Model Cities, artist and students who carved the pole, the pole's interpretive messaging/meaning, and the anchor it represents on the Central Area E Yesler Way ridge.