The Spokane Indians Baseball Team, in collaboration with the Carl Maxey Center, The Black Lens, and Spokane NAACP, launched the ‘King Carl Campaign’ in early 2024, named in honor of local civil rights activist and champion boxer Carl Maxey. Originally co-conceived by the late Sandy Williams—founder of the Carl Maxey Center and The Black Lens—the King Carl Campaign serves as a vibrant celebration of our region’s Black community and the team’s ongoing commitment to supporting communities of color.
Adopted by a Spokane family shortly after his birth in 1924, Maxey moved to the Spokane Children’s Home after the loss of his adoptive parents. At the age of 12, he was forced into the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center when the Home’s board decided it would no longer care for African American children. Maxey never forgot his tumultuous upbringing, using these early challenges and injustices as motivation to become a champion for the underdog.
After serving as a medic during WWII, Maxey became an NCAA boxing champion at Gonzaga, earning the nickname 'King Carl' for his prowess in the ring. He made history in 1951 as the first African American to graduate from Gonzaga Law School and to practice law in Spokane. Maxey helped aid the integration of the Spokane School District and is credited with virtually singlehandedly desegregating much of the Inland Northwest. Renowned as a brilliant legal mind and a persuasive orator, Maxey tackled controversial cases, represented conscientious objectors, and championed social justice until his passing in 1997.
The uniforms will make their on-field debut at Avista Stadium on Friday, April 19th, in conjunction with baseball's celebration of Jackie Robinson Day, and will also be worn on Wednesday, June 19th, in honor of Juneteenth.
King Carl shirts are available now in the Spokane Indians Team Store with a portion of each sale donated to the Sandy Williams Fund at the Carl Maxey Center. King Carl hats and jerseys will go on sale starting in mid-March. Fans can also donate directly to the campaign through the Innovia Foundation.
The baseball team’s new campaign has received strong endorsement from local leaders in the Black community including Natasha Hill, editor of The Black Lens, Spokane NAACP President Lisa Gardner, and City Council President Betsy Wilkerson.
“The ‘King Carl’ logo is amazing as it symbolizes everything that Carl Maxey was to our community," said Gardner. "An activist until the end, Carl Maxey fought for social justice and civil rights and was unmoved in his dedication to the community, all of the attributes of a king. NAACP is proud to support this campaign to honor a community legend.”
“Carl’s legacy lives on in his family, the community, and the people he fought for,” said Wilkerson. “Spokane has been forever changed because of this giant of a man and we are excited to partner with the Indians to further Carl's mission.”
$1 (one dollar) from each ticket sold from the links below will be donated to the Sandy Williams Fund for the Carl Maxey Center. If you would like to donate directly to the Sandy Williams fund, please CLICK HERE to be directed to the donation page.