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Colman School (#42)

The Colman School was active from 1909 until 1985, when it was closed due to the expansion of the Interstate 90. At one time, 76% of students were African American. Then, on November 24, 1985, four African American community activists—Earl Debnam, Michael Greenwood, Charlie James, and Omari Tahir Garrett—decided to occupy Colman School, claiming the site as the desired location for a Black museum and cultural center. After eight years of civil disobedience, the site was purchased by the Urban League and developed into the Northwest African American Museum with 36 apartment units of affordable housing above.