W E E K L Y N E W S L E T T E R
|
A Message from our President...
|
Dear Spokane Community,
In the photos, it’s just me and Scout—my dog, my shadow, my daily reminder of what real trust looks like. He doesn’t follow me because I tell him to. He follows because he believes in me. That kind of trust isn’t something you demand—it’s something you earn, day in and day out.
With Scout, it’s in the little things: the morning walks, the way he looks back to make sure I’m still with him, the trust in his eyes when the world gets loud. He knows I’ll protect him, guide him, and never let him down. That kind of trust can’t be faked. It has to be lived.
I believe our Spokane community deserves that same sense of security. People want to know their city leadership is walking the path first—not just giving directions from behind a podium. The citizens of Spokane want to believe that someone sees the whole picture, feels the weight of it, and still chooses to step forward. Spokane deserves to be able to look to its leaders and say, I trust you to lead us through this.
Leadership isn't about being followed - it's about being believable. It's about showing up in the quiet moments, and especially in the hard ones. I want us, as a city, to have the kind of leadership people can follow with that same unshakable trust and belief.
Because that’s how we move forward—together. One step at a time.
|
Your partner in business,
Brad
|
Spokane Business Association is proud to have Comcast Business as a Bronze Investor
|
Plug Into the Heart of East Central
The East Spokane Business Association (ESBA) isn’t here to tiptoe—we’re here to stand tall for East Central. As a proud focus council of the Spokane Business Association, our mission is simple: protect what’s working, elevate what’s possible, and fight for the future this neighborhood deserves.
If you live here, work here, or just care deeply about the soul of East Central, now’s the time to get involved. Your voice matters. Not a member yet? Join us and see what it’s all about.
📍 Location: Sprague Union Terrace – 1420 E Sprague Ave (back entrance)
🕛 Time: Noon to 1 PM
📅 When: Every 4th Wednesday of the month
Get updates on meeting times and guest speakers here each week. Let’s get to work. East Central needs all of us.
|
Don't miss our next ESBA Member Meeting | June 25, 2025
|
Guest Speaker -
Dr. Veena Singh
Chief Medical Examiner
|
Dr. Veena Singh is a highly qualified forensic pathologist and public health advocate who has led Spokane County’s Medical Examiner’s Office since April 2021. Under her leadership, the office has evolved into a regional forensic center, recognized for its innovation in forensic science, cross-sector collaboration, and focus on community health. Her landmark efforts in genetic genealogy and detailed overdose reporting reflect a deep commitment to using forensic science not just for investigation, but as a tool for public awareness, prevention, and healing across the community.
|
Reducing vehicle lanes to make room for bike paths, expanded sidewalks, or transit options may sound appealing in theory, but it comes with significant tradeoffs—especially in communities that depend on car travel and lack sufficient alternative infrastructure.
Learn how this issue may impact you or your business? We want to talk! Please plan to contribute to this impactful conversation with SBA.
|
When: Thursday, June 19th | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Doors open at 11:30 AM
Where: Ruby River Inn | 700 N Division | Shoreline A
Registration Required to Attend
|
The Spokane Business Association, in collaboration with the City’s Department of Community and Economic Development, has partnered with some of Spokane’s most innovative and forward-thinking businesses to streamline the permitting process and support the city’s construction momentum. From affordable housing developments to luxury high-rises, Spokane’s skyline is rising—and the future is looking up.
Join the Contractors & Developers Focus Council and be part of the conversation driving real change. Whether you’re building affordable housing or commercial high-rises, your voice matters. Help us create smarter policy, faster processes, and a stronger foundation for Spokane’s growth.
|
When: Thursday, July 17th | 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Doors open at 10:30 AM
Where: Ruby River Inn | 700 N Division | Shoreline A
Registration Required to Attend
|
Gabriel's Challenge | Mother's Day through Father's Day
|
Gabriel’s Challenge is a grassroots effort born out of Spokane’s urgent fight against the fentanyl crisis. Named in memory of 24-year-old Gabriel Fensler, who lost his life to a fentanyl overdose, the initiative calls on the community to come together in his honor and take action to prevent further tragedy.
Spanning 36 days—from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day—the challenge invites residents to take part in small, intentional acts that foster connection and awareness. Participants are encouraged to “Adopt a Block” by walking their neighborhoods and building relationships with those around them, and to join local mapping sessions aimed at identifying service gaps in Spokane’s addiction and recovery network.
|
The heart of Gabriel’s Challenge lies in the belief that when people show up, engage with their neighbors, and work together, they can spark real and lasting change. It’s a movement rooted in love, loss, and the unwavering hope of building a safer, more connected Spokane.
|
Curious to learn more? Text “SHOW UP” to 53123 for daily action challenges.
|
DSP's Downtown Dialogue | Thursday, June 12, 2025
|
Downtown Dialogue: Thien Ho, Sacramento County District Attorney
Join the DSP for a discussion with Attorney Ho to learn more about how Sacramento County is leveraging Prop. 36 to address addiction and theft through a new approach to prosecution and sentencing with treatment-mandated sentencing for repeat offenders.
Emphasizing treatment while simultaneously leveraging new provisions and increased penalties as deterrents, Prop. 36 adds back tools to treat substance use disorders and mental illness to keep people out of jail, alive and off the streets, while making neighborhoods safer.
|
Location: FUEL Coworking | 809 W Main Ave, Ste 212
When: June 12th - 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
|
|
Come Celebrate Father’s Day 2025
With Spokane Fatherhood Initiative
115 Years of Celebrating Fathers—It All Began in Spokane!
|
Our Father’s Day 2025 celebration just received a tremendous honor…
Gabriel’s Challenge founder Kitara Johnson-Jones has invited SpoFI to merge our celebration with their closing ceremony at Riverfront Park. This partnership recognizes the vital role our fathers play in community healing.
This isn’t just a venue change—it’s community-wide acknowledgment that transformed fathers strengthen entire neighborhoods.
This June 15th, we’re bringing Father’s Day home to where it started.
|
Lunch Breaks that Mean Business | Coming Soon!
|
New SBA Lunch & Learn Series Coming This Summer!
Hungry for knowledge? Grab your brown bag and join us for a bite-sized brainstorm! Each month, the SBA will serve up fresh topics and expert voices to fuel your mind and spark real conversations.
Bring Your Own Lunch, Leave with Insight 🍎 🧃 🛍️
Details Coming Soon!
|
YOUR VOICE. YOUR IMPACT. YOUR MEMBERSHIP.
|
Downtown Spokane is at a crossroads. Business owners are confronting the impacts of addiction, homelessness, and public safety challenges every single day. These aren’t abstract policy debates—they’re lived realities. But change doesn’t come from waiting. It comes from stepping in.
The Spokane Business Association exists because a group of business leaders chose to stop accepting the status quo. We walk the streets before sunrise. We talk directly with policymakers. We advocate for solutions rooted in both accountability and compassion. This work is not easy, but it is necessary—and it’s powered by the people who refuse to give up on Spokane.
If you care about building a safer, stronger, more equitable city, then your voice belongs here. Not because we have all the answers, but because together, we’re asking the right questions—and demanding better. This is how change starts. Join us.
|
SBA THANKS OUR VALUABLE INVESTORS
|
If you believe in what we're building and want to see Spokane thrive, don’t keep it to yourself—share this with your neighbors, colleagues, and friends. The more voices we have, the stronger our impact.
|
|
