THE BLM STREET MURAL
Public Impact Activation & Exhibition
@ Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd (ACP)
bet. 125th Street and 127th Street
Photography, Video & Multi-media
by New Kingston Media.
When protests ignited after the tragic death of George Floyd, at the height of the pandemic, it galvanized the “Black Lives Matter” (BLM) movement worldwide.
Many cities around the country were inspired by Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who renamed a street leading to the White House, Black Lives Matter Way, and painted the roadbeds with the message. Following the initial media release regarding DC’s effort, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his goal to install a “Black Lives Matter” street mural in each of NYC’s boroughs.
Harlem Park to Park in partnership with ValincPR and Got To Stop Social Impact Agency was honored to lead the effort to ensure that Harlem was one of Manhattan’s mural locations.
Role:
Creative Director & Producer, NK Media.
Team @ NK Media:
Jedaiah Cuffy, Sekou Luke, Mark Claudio, Sam Vibes, Jahmilla Miller, Geoffrey Gibson, Massiel Martinez, Ano Okera.
By installing a mural in the epicenter of African American culture, Harlem was presented with a unique opportunity to elevate the symbolic nature of the BLM street murals installed around the U.S. and become the global symbol for the “Call to Action” to Heal and Prosper as a community, nation, and world.
This community activation and street exhibition included two sprawling murals along both sides of the median and spanned two city blocks of Adam Clayton Powell Blvd between 125th & 127th Sts.
The Mural spanned the width of the street with each letter standing 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. The letters were created to precision with stencils by partners Rockwell Group and Reprographics printers and were laid on the ground by the United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 Union.
The Northbound Side:
The northbound side of the street was completed by the 8 commissioned artists who each designed two letters.
The Southbound Side:
Painted in red, black & green by over 300 members of the Harlem community representing more than 25 groups.
THE “8” artists
Curated by LeRone Wilson, the artists in order of appearance include LeRone Wilson, Jason Wallace, Omo Misha, Guy Stanley Philoche, Lesny Felix, Thomas Heath, Dianne Smith and Joyous Pierce,
THE COMMUNITY
The community and press were tremendous with coverage secured in publications including the New York Times and Architectural Digest, among many others internationally and locally. Prominent community members used the space to host events -- including a memorial to Congressman John Lewis.
Prominent community members used the space to host events -- including a memorial to Congressman John Lewis.
Community Restaurant Sponsors Bo’s, 67 Orange, Field Trip, Ponty Bistro, Lo Lo Seafood Shack, Cobe Lounge & Babbalucci.
Additional support for the mural installation was provided by the Agnes Gund Foundation, Crown Royal, and Ciroc Vodka.
Political Leadership: Spearheaded by Lieutenant Governor of New York Brian Benjamin in partnership with Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer.
Political Supporters: Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Council Member Bill Perkins, Assembly Member Inez Dickens, Assembly Member Al Taylor.
Strategic Support: Harlem Park to Park Co-Chairs Tren’ness Woods-Black, Sylvia’s Restaurant, TWB; and Beatrice Sibblies, BOS Development.
The BLM Harlem Mural was featured in set design for The Public Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park production of Merry Wives at the Delacourt Theater.
The Prints captured by New Kingston were featured in the ‘Designing Peace’ exhibition & publication by the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum.
The award-winning archival documentary that captured this historic event, An American Street Mural in Harlem, was selected as Winner for Best Documentary Short by the New York International Film Awards (NYIFA) and as an Official Selection at the Harlem International Film Festival (HIFF).
