Photo: An enormous Black Lives Matter street mural was recently painted along Martin Luther King Avenue with hopes to help inspire more murals and activate change. Photo by Mike Naddeo.
Written by Tanya Terry
An enormous Black Lives Matter street mural was recently painted along Martin Luther King Avenue, and activists are hoping this will inspire similar efforts in other communities. The street mural is located in the 600 block of Martin Luther King, between Fourth and University avenues.
New York City, Brooklyn, Seattle, Charlotte and San Francisco have similar street murals.
DuWaun Robinson, Flint chapter lead of Black Lives Matter, said this is his group’s first Black Lives Matter street mural, but they hope to see Black Life Matters on a street in every city in this county and beyond.
“This is something we will be looking to do in every city,” Robinson said. “We’re starting in Flint. There will be another one in Flint-downtown. Then, will start moving it out to Clio, Owosso, Swartz Creek, Davison and Grand Blanc.”
The three-part project began at 10 a.m. June 14. The first half was finished around 3 p.m. There was a break. Then, the Kevin Burdick did the Martin Luther King silhouette, along with several other individuals, for approximately another hour. Protesters were painted at the bottom of the words ‘Black Lives Matter’ in the street later on in the evening.
“There are fists in between each word,” Robinson said. “The reason is you want to emphasize on each word. So, when you say Black, you want to emphasize on Black. Also, you want to emphasize on lives. Then, matter-because, of course, we matter. So, in between each of those three words is a fist. At the bottom of the letters are beautiful paintings of protesters’ silhouettes.”
Robinson said Martin Luther King is a historical street.
“We want to make sure we honor our champions from before, and what better way than to paint our streets? Also, on Martin Luther King we wanted to go ahead and put something down that symbolizes. Everybody puts a mural on the wall. We wanted to do something very unique that stands out so everybody coming down Martin Luther King-whether they’re going downtown or going to the north side-will see this as a constant reminder.”
Kids, older adults, young people, Black Lives Matter members and those affiliated with Flint Public Art Project worked together with one common goal.
“Everyone around the world is seeing that Black people have been getting the short end of the stick for a long time. With us being the original contributors to this world, it’s important that we all come together and we lift up Black people’s voices. The fact that a diverse group came tells you there’s a heart for humanity.”
Despite the fact Robinson said it was unfortunate people had to come together because George Floyd lost his life, to Robinson, the street mural is a symbol of pride for Black people. He said he would like to see the issue that is being raised for Black people continue to be raised. He wants to make sure George Floyd and others did not lose their lives in vain and to make sure the Black Lives Matter movement is more than a fad.
“When you talk about Black lives you talk about ensuring that we understand that these people are the light of the world. The way that we show homage and respect for our ancestors is to go ahead and be as right as possible now and do what’s necessary now. It’s a time for Black people to stand up. It’s a time for the Black agenda to arrive. If you understand what’s taking place nationally and internationally, you are seeing there is this rise in public. You want to be on the right side of history. We want to spark energy. This is the start of many initiatives to empower Black people around the world.”
Sandra Branch, founder of Gallery on the Go and board member and vice president of Flint Public Art Project Used utilized a team to paint the mural. Branch, who organized community murals such as the Little Miss Flint and Obama mural on Saginaw Street, designed the Black Lives Matter mural.
“I assign different parts to different people based on their talents, and then I have the community do another part,” Branch said.
The Flint Art Project put 100 murals up last summer, as well as most of the murals in the city of Flint.
“It was my idea to start fighting blight and being an art activist, taking my graffiti artists and turning them to muralists instead of tagging up the town,” Branch said
Branch incorporates professional artist to work along with the graffiti artists.
“We give them all a taste of Flint before they take on our brick. We won’t let an artist come to Flint and just paint. You have to learn Flint, get a taste of Flint, go to our restaurants, meet our people, drive through our neighborhoods, feel us-because we don’t want anyone coming here and giving us what they want us to have-what they think we need. We want them to feel us and feel who we are and help us express and change the narrative on who people assume Flint to be.”
Branch has worked with all the artists she chose for this particular project beforehand.
Branch also has a presence in the community, as well as a fan base.
“I put an open call to the community–all who wanted to join the cause of Black Lives Matter narrative without changing their narrative-to be part of the movement, to come out.”
Flint is Branch’s hometown and community.
“What better place than to put Martin Luther King than on Martin Luther King Avenue? This was about community coming together to support Black Lives Matter’s movement and the Black Lives Matters group. It was a multigenerational and multiracial project. There were as many non-Black people there, if not more, than Black people. If you’re here to support, let Black people lead their own movement and stop muddling the message with every other movement message.”
The mural was installed through a cooperative effort between Flint Public Art Project, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, The What’s Up Downtown Project and the Flint Downtown Development Authority. Gratitude was extended to Sandra Branch, Kady Yellow, Isaiah Oliver and Joe Schipani for their roles in the project.
“This community stands united with Black Lives Matter,” Mayor Sheldon Neeley said.
“I am so proud to see so many come together to support justice and equity,” Neeley added. “Unity is strength. Together we can, and we will, move our community and our nation forward.”
Those who may be interested in upcoming community art projects are advised to follow Flint Public Art Project’s Facebook page for details.
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