Black Lives Always Mattered

So during the turn of events of the year, ( I don’t think I need to get too specific, we all know what’s been going on other than covid ) there have been a number of ‘Black Lives Matter’ murals going up on the city streets. I think they started in DC. Nonetheless, as they were going up I was never eager to participate in any of them. I honestly just felt like it was another casualty gone trend. Then I received a call from Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman’s chief of staff and everything I thought about these murals went out the window.

I was fortunate enough to be selected to design the South Jamaica Queens ‘Black Lives Matter’ mural on Jamaica Avenue and 153rd street. The mural had to be able to be completed in two days and stretches over 300 feet, so design wise I had to be simply complex.

Concept design for the mural

I designed an image that consisted of the Juneteenth flag, fists, and flowers. This is to represent our freedom, our people as a whole, and our growth.

Unfortunately while we were out there painting these past couple days there were a lot of opinions from people that had nothing other to do, that surprisingly looked like us. When you’re painting for hours in the heat, it’s nothing you want to hear. I refused to let it overshadow the good quality and informative conversations. The volunteer support, and the love from kids just seeing us work and asking to help, asking questions, asking how to do more, was more inspiring to me then it may have been for them. At all ages, TOGETHER we are extremely powerful and can get some things done. I’d like to thank City Council members, Daneek Miller, Adrienne Adams, Rory Lancman, Assembly members, Alicia Hyndman, Clyde Vanel, and Senator Leroy Comrie for making sure this project went through the artists in Queens that have done their due diligence in the community. Last but the most important, thank you Tunisia Morrison, you’re the glue. Auguste, Ally, and Zina too ( my generals of the weekend! )

City Councilmembers: Daneek Miller, Adrienne Adams, Rory Lancman Assemblymembers: Alicia Hyndman and Clyde Vanel Senator: Leroy Comrie Mayor: De Blasio

Artist & Assembly Woman Alicia Hyndman

In summation, I don’t know how me out of all people could have even thought anything ill towards these projects to begin with. No these murals are not changing any laws, and they’re not bringing any lives back. What they are doing is bringing like minded people together to work on a common goal, and that right there is the foundation we need to start new forward thinking trends.