Maxcy D. Filer Square
My name is Duane L. Filer, and I’m the eldest son of Maxcy D. Filer – known affectionately as “Mr. Compton.” On January 24, 2026, me and my siblings – Maxine Filer, Judge Kelvin D. Filer, Attorney Anthony Filer, Pastor Stephanie L. Filer-Hoxey, and Dennis Filer (baby sister Tracy passed from cancer in 2025) – were honored to be present at 542 W. Arbutus Street (corner of Arbutus St. and Matthisen Ave. – where we grew up and where sister Maxine and brother Dennis currently live,) to help celebrate the naming of the corner area as the “Maxcy D. Filer Square.”
What a day it was! Many civic leaders spoke on this special day, including City Council Member Deidre Duhart and Mayor Emma Shariff. U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters (Auntie Maxine) also spoke about fond memories of Maxcy. Former politician Isadore Hall, representatives for State Assemblyman Michael Gipson, and Compton Councilpersons Jonathan Bowers and Lillie Darden were also in attendance. Props to the DJ, who played songs from the Filer’s favorite band, Sly & The Family Stone, to introduce each speaker.
I spoke first for the family and told stories about growing up in the house in the late 1950’s/early 1960’s and witnessing the first meetings of the Compton Branch of the NAACP (when famous Dodgers Johnny Roseboro, Charlie Neal, and Tommy Davis lived in the area and attended the meetings) and, on Saturday mornings joining the picket line at F.W. Woolworth’s Department Store (instead of watching the Flintstones and the Jetsons which I preferred) in Compton so they would hire black workers. My brother, Judge Filer, spoke next about playing freeze-tag and touch football in the streets, and how all the kids on Arbutus and the surrounding streets had loving parents who looked after us all; older brothers and sisters who mentored us – just love for all the families – and yes we had to be home before the street lights came on! My youngest brother, Dennis, said a few words.
Next up, sisters Stephanie and Maxine gave powerful memories of how our mother, Blondell, was right with Maxcy all the way, supporting his every move and ensuring the Filer kids and the neighborhood were aware of the important meetings as Compton was changing and evolving.
Brother Anthony was the last Filer sibling to speak, and stood up and pointed to each house down the 500 block of Arbutus, while RECITING THE FAMILY NAME of each household where each family lived. He told stories from our childhood and how growing up in Compton at that time was like living in “Mayberry RFD.”
The ceremony was touching and heartfelt, and powerfully honored the life and legacy of our father, Attorney Maxcy D. Filer, who died in 2011, after decades of service as a civil rights leader, a Councilman for 15 years, a hands-on public servant, and a dedicated community advocate. It may have taken Maxcy 25 years to pass the California State Bar (he passed on his 48th attempt), but he never gave up. In the words of Sly Stone – “YOU CAN MAKE IT IF YOU TRY!”
Thank you, City of Compton, for a wonderful presentation!
