The mural was organized by Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural affairs at Eastern Mennonite University.]]>
Students attending Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg painted a Black Lives Matter mural on a street on campus. This mural is located on the road in front of the University Commons at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia. Celeste Thomas, who is the director of multicultural affairs at EMU and senior adviser for diversity and inclusion, was the main organizer of the mural. The idea for this project came to her after a COVID testing site closed a barbershop on campus.  

In conjunction with the university’s Black Student Alliance, they determined the school did need the COVID testing space, but at the same time, they wanted to speak out against racial injustice that has been an ongoing issue for many years in this country. The artists of this 114-foot-long mural consisted of 36 students at Eastern Mennonite University, whose initials are painted on the side. The mural was initially outlined in chalk during the week, but that same weekend was painted again using road paint to prevent fading, and the following Monday there was a dedication ceremony. This mural was sanctioned by the university. The Black Student Alliance and the university both acknowledge that racial injustice is something they do not support in any way. With the hope that their artwork will make a lasting impact, the university noted that this will be a permanent fixture at Eastern Mennonite. 

Sources

Hood, John. “Black Lives Matter Mural Created at Eastern Mennonite University.” Https://Www.nbc29.Com, https://www.nbc29.com/2020/09/23/black-lives-matter-mural-created-eastern-mennonite-university/. 

Jefferson, Lauren. “Black Student Alliance Hosts Dedication Ceremony for Black Lives Matter Mural.” EMU News, 30 Sept. 2020, https://emu.edu/now/news/2020/black-student-alliance-hosts-dedication-ceremony-for-black-lives-matter-mural/. 

Researched by Taylor Rau

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News Coverage by EMU]]>
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Photographer: Rachel Holderman]]>
Stephen Larrick, Black Lives Matter Street Mural Census]]>

The space for the project was provided by the Hubert-Seabury family, which owns the property at Manufacturers Village. Project artists were compensated for their work through crowdfunding donations.]]>
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News Coverage by ABC7NY, Baristanet, NJ True Jersey, and 12 News Connecticut 

Instagram post by MV Artists on April 22, 2021

Tweet by the City of East Orange on April 30, 2021]]>
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Photographer: East Orange Public Information Officer]]>
Stephen Larrick, Black Lives Matter Street Mural Census]]>