'The Legacy Of The Soul Pole’: A Beacon of Black Pride, Preserved
For over 50 years, the Soul Pole has stood tall as a powerful, 21-foot reminder of Black history, endurance, and freedom outside Seattle Public Library’s (SPL) Douglass-Truth Branch in the historic Central District. The Black Heritage Society of Washington State rightfully called this artwork a "beacon of Black pride,” remaining a towering touchstone of Black creative excellence for generations to come.
Capturing History Through Film
In 2022, Converge Media captured the story of the Soul Pole in a 10-minute film "The Legacy of the Soul Pole." The documentary follows the artwork over a year-long period, from its deinstallation in April 2021 due to elemental deterioration to its triumphant reinstallation in April 2022 at 23rd and Yesler Way after successful conservation work.
The documentary highlights the critical collaboration between SPL and the Black Heritage Society to preserve the Pole and uncover its history, just as it has immortalized the Pole’s inspiring story through heartfelt conversation, cameras, and a mission to tell better stories.
"Thanks to Converge for creating an extraordinary film that sheds light on the Soul Pole’s past, present and future, and to the Black Heritage Society for their support in the research and preservation of these stories," said Chief Librarian Tom Fay. "Everyone who has an interest in the untold stories of Seattle should watch this film, and then go visit the Soul Pole at the Douglass-Truth Branch, where it is standing tall once again.”
The Pole's Genesis: A Design for 400 Years of History
The story of the Soul Pole began in the late 1960s at the Seattle Rotary Boys Club. The project was conceived by Wilson Gulley, Sr., the club's executive director from 1968-1971, and art director Raqib Mu’ied (formerly Gregory X). Mu’ied led five primary youth artists—Brenda Davis, Larry Gordon, Gregory Jackson, Cindy Jones, and Gaylord Young—in the carving process.
The group transformed a donated telephone pole into an intricate design of faces and figures intended to represent 400 years of African-American history. The finished artwork was formally installed in 1973 at its historic spot at 23rd and Yesler Way.
A new plaque placed at the base of the Soul Pole in late May 2022 now honors all of these individuals whose vision and skill created this cultural landmark.
A Symbol of Activism and Freedom
Raqib Mu’ied's spirit as an artist and activist is deeply embedded in the Soul Pole’s essence. His son, poet and performance artist Elijah Mu’ied, spoke eloquently in the film about his father’s intention.
"The Soul Pole represents the advent of African American's history coming to America, starting from the bottom to the top, when they got us in the homeland, brought us to America to enslave us, up to freedom, which is the top piece,” Elijah Mu’ied said.
He continued with passionate and prideful words about his father’s legacy.
“Raqib Mu’ied was an activist, trained all of his children in that formula of searching for freedom. … I would say that the Soul Pole embodies his activism, from the ground up,” he said, explaining that the final, crowning piece of the Pole was carved by Raqib Mu’ied and represents "African American awakening, our freedom, which many of us know we’re still working on to this day.”
The Conservation Imperative
After nearly five decades of standing strong, the elements began to take their toll on the Soul Pole. The decision to deinstall and conserve the artwork was made to ensure its survival for future generations and expand its legacy as a result. The film documents the intensive, year-long process, spearheaded by the Black Heritage Society, Artech Fine Art Services, and top conservator in the Pacific Northwest Corine Landrieu.
Kate Dawson, project manager for Artech, and Landrieu explained their collaborative goal in the film: successful reinstallation at the pole's original spot. "We knew that would be the most important thing, that’s what success would like,” said Dawson.
Landrieu carried out a comprehensive intervention, which included repairing rot and cracks with epoxy fills, applying wood preservative, and painting the structure. As Landrieu observed, there is a "fine line between conservation and restoration," and a piece destined for the outdoors requires a more involved intervention to survive the elements.
An Enduring Presence in the Central District
The culmination of the conservation work came on April 5, 2022 when the Soul Pole was reinstalled in its rightful place, captured in the documentary’s moving final scenes. The film showcases the Black joy, creativity, and spirit backing this momentous event, which was attended by community members and the families of those originally involved.
Stephanie Johnson-Toliver, president of the Black Heritage Society of Washington State, was moved by the moment.
“The Soul Pole represents the tenacity and significance of the African American footprint in the Central District. This is a beacon on this corner and I’m so proud to see it back. I’m kind of fighting back the tears,” she said.
The Soul Pole's significance has also been formally recognized, as it was awarded Historic Seattle’s 2022 Preserving Neighborhood Character Award on May 31, 2022. The award was presented at the annual Preservation Celebration benefit later that year.
Converge’s Words On The Soul Pole
"For us at Converge Media, documenting the story of the Soul Pole was a labor of love. Converge Media was born in the Central District of Seattle and many of us on staff including myself grew up going to Douglass-Truth as children and we remember how mighty the Soul Pole was and the story it represents. To be front and center through this amazing process to yes restore the pole but more than that, to reaffirm that the Central District is still the cultural and historical epicenter for Black culture in the City of Seattle and beyond. We want people to know that this project was not commissioned by the Seattle Public Library or any other funding source. We were able to tell this very important Black history story with assistance from the generous supporters of Converge Media who believe in the value of community storytelling and uplifting of the Black experience in Seattle and to them I say thank you and we offer you the Legacy of the Soul Pole"
More Information on The Soul Pole and the Douglass-Truth Branch
The Soul Pole was gifted to the Library in 1972 and installed outside the Yesler Branch Library on April 24, 1973, two years before it was renamed the Douglass-Truth Branch in honor of abolitionists Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth. SPL recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the branch’s renaming on Dec. 13, 2025.
The Douglass-Truth Branch also has a large collection of African American literature and history, which was established in 1965 through a donation by the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a national service organization founded by African American college women. Over 10,000 items are featured, and some items in the collection have been digitized as the Black Culture and History Collection.
Contact the Seattle Public Library
Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.
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