WE HAVE PURPOSE.
'The Black Legacy Project' pays homage to and educates our community about Austin’s Black history and culture.
WE AIM TO INSPIRE.
This project encourages positive change in America's youth; our future leaders.
WE CREATE & CURATE ART.
Dedicated local visual artists collaborate on public arts projects in the Austin area to support this project and raise funds for local organizations.
WE FUNDRAISE FOR LOCAL NONPROFITS.
MISSION & VISION
'The Black Legacy Project' encourages community empowerment through education and inspiration by paying homage to the culture and history of Austin’s Black community.
Our vision is to heal and inspire the world through
ART and COMMUNITY.
We create and curate public art projects that educate, inspire, and elevate our community’s youth and future leaders to make positive social change.
The 'Legacy' collaborative mural by Sadé Channell, Zuzu, and NIZ will be painted on Spruce Upholstery ( 2005 s. Lamar Blvd. ) in September 2020. The mural is approximately 40ft x 14ft.
On the left is Dorothy Nell Turner (1935-2005), one of Austin's most beloved civil-rights activists and advocate for east Austin and the Black community. Dorothy was the first female assistant city manager and the City's first African American personnel director as well as co-founder of the 'Black Citizens Task Force' with Velma Roberts.
On the right, young Angela Davis (1944-present), an American political activist, philosopher, academic, and author. She was a professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she taught courses on the history of consciousness until 2008. Davis is known for her work as an advocate for gender equity, prison reform and alliances across color lines.
The "Your Potential is Limitless" quote in between the empowering female figures is a positive reminder that we are all capable of great change in our lifetimes.
Sade Lawson is from Central Texas and is currently based in Austin, TX. She has a whimsical approach to compositions using the human form and dreamy landscapes to symbolize and address various topics such as representation, self-identity and mental health. Her themes aim to elevate moods with vivid imagery, while also bringing awareness to narratives that typically aren’t shared as a woman and person of color.
“We believe that change on a large national scale will only happen when we address the issues happening in our cities, circles, and within ourselves. Everyday heroes like Chas deserve to have their stories shared and amplified.”
— Sadé
Non-Profit Partner: Austin Justice Coalition
The Austin Justice Coalition (AJC) serves people who are historically and systematically impacted by gentrification, segregation, over policing, a lack of educational and employment opportunities, and other institutional forms of racism in Austin.
MISSION: To improve the quality of life for people of color by helping them be the driving force behind their own liberation.
Niz was born in Lima, Peru and is currently based in Austin, TX. She is a prolific stencil artist with a distinct style she refers to as, “mythical realism”. Inspired by graffiti, street art, music, skateboarding and hip hop culture, she creates artwork that represents Caribbean and Latino culture and empowered females and spirituality. Her work communicates the undeniable connection between us and our environment.
“Together we all must do our part to highlight important sociocultural and political issues through our public art.” — NIZ
Non-Profit Partner: Hearts 2 Heal
Hearts 2 Heal believes an army of change makers and innovators is needed to move the needle forward when it comes to increasing access to culturally-relevant mental health & wellness strategies for underserved communities.
VISION: Increase peer support workers of color. Our voices matter. Culturally appropriate peer education. Our history is important. Eliminate disparities & stigma. Our well-being is priority.
Zuzu is originally from San Diego, CA and is currently based in Austin, TX. Her style is bold, colorful, and demands attention. Utilizing a variety of styles, all of her work exemplifies vibrant colors, dynamic movement, and contemporary design elements. Her passion is creating artwork that encourages conversation, brings joy, and fosters connection in the community.
“My artwork is my voice, my power, and my gift. It tells a story and its purpose is to have a positive impact on society. Right now we’re in a transformational time and we must raise our voices, lift our spirits, and come together to change the course of history.” — Zuzu
Non-Profit Partner: Six Square
Six Square serves as a safe harbor to creatives, artists, and entrepreneurs of color by celebrating, preserving, leveraging, improving the quality of life for, creating awareness about, investing in, and building a pipeline of sustainability and economic development for Black arts, history, and culture in Central East Austin.
MISSION: To preserve and celebrate the cultural legacy of the African American community that once thrived in Central East Austin through cultural arts, education, economic development, and historic preservation.
Ruben was born and raised in Austin, TX. He has been involved in the creative industry for over 7 years, typically behind the scenes with a focus on project and artist management. The recent current events have inspired Ruben to create artwork of his own with the purpose of inspiring change.
"Together we are planting the seeds of change. We must continue to nurture these seeds of change as a city and allow them to grow into a brighter more colorful tomorrow."
— Ruben
Non-Profit Partner: Six Square
Six Square serves as a safe harbor to creatives, artists, and entrepreneurs of color by celebrating, preserving, leveraging, improving the quality of life for, creating awareness about, investing in, and building a pipeline of sustainability and economic development for Black arts, history, and culture in Central East Austin.
MISSION: To preserve and celebrate the cultural legacy of the African American community that once thrived in Central East Austin through cultural arts, education, economic development, and historic preservation.
This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
A special thanks to our fiscal sponsor, the HOPE Campaign
