For decades, street art has been a captivating way to bring Black history to the streets. Our murals are for the people, by the people.
In cities worldwide, from Philadelphia to Paris, our history is stunningly depicted. In Philly, the city of murals, the mural titled “Remembering a Forgotten Hero” honors Octavius V. Catto, a civil rights activist assassinated for advocating for voting rights.
In Baltimore, artist and teacher Ernest Shaw worked with city youth to paint a mural of Nina Simone, James Baldwin, and Malcolm X. When the city of Phoenix told Artist Giovannie Dixon he couldn’t paint a Black Lives Matter mural, he painted 28 Black history murals instead.
The Shining Light Foundation’s Black History Mural Project takes things a step further, using street art to tell the stories of everyday Black folks who contributed to the culture, too.
Not only are street murals beautiful representations of our Blackness, but they also serve as calls to action for us all.
These illustrious art pieces are reminders of our rich history and cultural legacies we should always be proud of. Schools won’t teach us this history, so it’s up to us to use the tools at our disposal to educate ourselves and each other.