In the heart of East Central Spokane, a vibrant mural has become a testament to the community's rich history and enduring spirit. Carl Richardson, one of the mural's co-creators, explains the collaborative process behind the artwork, "We first wanted to make sure that when we're doing this mural, we're doing it in conjunction with the people of the community. Instead of coming in and saying, we're going to do this, we asked them what they wanted." This approach ensured that the mural truly reflects the people and places that hold significance for the neighborhood.

For Lisa Gardner, the NAACP President of East Central, the mural is a powerful symbol of recognition and resilience. "It means, you know, we are. We're not forgotten," she shares. "It's a combination of, really what East Central is. To the black community, and that mural really represents the faces, the lives and the people of East Central." Latrice Williams, whose family has deep roots in the area, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the community's strength and resourcefulness. "One thing about black people is we always make a way out of no way," she states. "Give us lemons. We make lemonade. And so this became our hub, because this is where we were. We were sent to, but we created community, and that's why anytime anybody leaves, they will always come back. East Central is our beloved community."

Through the collaborative efforts of artists and residents, the East Central mural has become more than just a visual representation of the neighborhood. It is a living testament to the community's past, present, and future, a source of pride and inspiration for generations to come. As Lisa Gardner eloquently puts it, "We're resilient. We're doing a lot of community engagement on what does east central want and need, and we need homes, we need economic development, and we need our community to be stronger than ever. So I want people to understand and know that again, we're not down, you know, and we're not out, we're strong, and we're going to become stronger."