MURAL EXHIBIT: THE COLORED CONVENTIONS MOVEMENT AND BEYOND
MURAL DEDICATION EVENT
On October 28th, two murals dedicated to organizing and activism in Philadelphia were unveiled at the Courtyard at Riverview Apts. The result of a collaborative effort by the Colored Conventions Project and Mural Arts Philadelphia, the murals portray some of the major figures from Philadelphia’s Black activist community from the nineteenth century, juxtaposing them with their twentieth-century counterparts including local activists in Philadelphia. The mural dedication event brought together members of the community, including residents of the Courtyard at Riverview Apartments, representatives from the Colored Conventions Project and Mural Arts Philadelphia, and local organizers and community members, to celebrate the murals’ recognition of the Convention’s origins and the work local activists are doing to continue its legacy.
At the event, Pennsylvania State Representative Chris Rabb joined Dr. Gabrielle Foreman, founding director of the Colored Conventions Project, to dedicate two murals titled “The Colored Conventions Movement and Beyond in Philadelphia.” The speakers honored Black men and women’s struggle for racial justice, a centuries-long fight African Americans in Philadelphia have led tirelessly. These Black men and women, their movements and communities continue to do the political organizing work these historic conventions began generations ago that have been obscured for far too long. Rep. Rabb has strong ties to the Colored Conventions Movement. He read from a speech delivered by his great-great-great grandfather, Rev. Amos Noë Freeman, at a Colored Convention in Portland, Maine on October 6, 1841.
Inez Green-Hatcher, whose mother Delores Y. Green led a housing movement to secure Courtyard’s status as affordable housing, also spoke at the event. Inez continues her mother’s legacy by serving as the president of Courtyard’s tenant council. She and her family attended the event, celebrating the tireless work of their mother and grandmother and the women who advocated for fair housing alongside her.
Community members also expressed their thoughts about the murals:
Joyce Saunders, a longtime resident of the Courtyard at Riverside Apartments, attended the event. When asked about her thoughts on the event, Saunders said, “I love this mural. I’ve seen the changes in the neighborhood over the years, and it is lovely to have this in the community.”
Carol Nixon, the daughter of Mildred Leftwich who worked alongside Delores Y. Green, also attended the event. When asked about her mother’s advocacy for Southwark residents, Nixon said, “She did it from her heart. She just wanted the people and the children to have a clean place and enjoy life. That’s it. That was it. They fought so hard for years. They finally succeeded, but she didn’t get the chance to enjoy it because she lost—we lost her in 2000 from cancer. But I know she’s here right here looking. I know she is. She’s looking down smiling.”
Photo Gallery
Below are more pictures from the event. Use the left and right arrows to navigate.
