Black Lives Matter Street Mural, Harrisonberg, VA

Eastern Mennonite University students

Black Lives Matter Street Mural, Harrisonberg, VA

38.471805, -78.878397

"Black Lives Matter" is painted in yellow and black on the pavement.

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

Image URL

News Coverage by EMU

Artists: Eastern Mennonite University students (The initials of the 36 students who helped with the mural are painted on the side)

Photographer: Rachel Holderman

Urban Art Mapping Research Project

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Located in front of the University Commons at Eastern Mennonite University