Chapel Hill and Carrboro community members are now greeted by a new mural near the towns’ overlap, which honors and recognizes Black civic leaders from the two towns.

The mural, located at 111 South Merritt Mill Road along the Chapel Hill-Carrboro border, was completed by artist Kiara Sanders in late September. The piece, titled ‘African-American Trailblazers,’ adorns two Black-owned businesses: Walt’s Grill and Ms. Molly’s Gift Shop.

The mural features twelve Black pioneers from the community, including nurse Adelia Compton, the first Black employee for the Town of Chapel Hill; William D. Peerman, the first Black head football coach at Chapel Hill High School; and Howard Lee, the only Black mayor of Chapel Hill. A full list of mural honorees can be found here.

Sanders is an art studies graduate of North Carolina Central University in Durham. This year, she also completed an art project at a bus stop on Rogers Road in Carrboro. According to Sanders, one of her chief inspirations for the Trailblazers project was the work of Harlem Renaissance artist Aaron Douglas. She said her work on the mural took several weeks and is intended to both educate and inspire.

“It’s an honor to be able to tap into this history,” Sanders said. “You can come across this work and look at the faces and wonder to yourself, ‘Who is that?’ And then that can start a whole new conversation about how we introduce people who paved the way for us to live and thrive.”

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Area Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority helped to conceive the project.

“This is how collaboration works,” said Dianne Pledger, a member of the chapter. “When people come together with the same mindset to accomplish a common goal.”

To hear more from Sanders about the mural and to watch a video on the project, visit the Town of Carrboro’s YouTube channel.

 

Featured image via Town of Carrboro.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
Carrboro Completes Black Lives Matter Mural on Century Center
Artists recently finished installing the latest in a series of murals in Carrboro supporting racial justice, according to the town. A new piece painted on the Century Center facing East Main Street and reading “Black Lives Matter” was completed on Friday. It’s the second mural commissioned by the Carrboro Town Council in response to the […]
Student Artists, Community Muralist Needed for Carrboro BLM Mural
After months of back and forth deliberation, the plan of action regarding Carrboro’s multiple Black Lives Matter murals has changed again. Back in June, the Carrboro Town Council began its mission to paint Carrboro’s very own Black Lives Matter mural. After some back and forth deliberations, at a meeting in late August, the council moved […]
Carrboro Unveils Black Lives Matter Mural at CommunityWorx
The Town of Carrboro has unveiled a new Black Lives Matter mural on the side of the CommunityWorx on West Main Street. Local artist Tyrone Small led the effort to create the mural and his team of students artists included Ash Granda-Bondurant, Carina Rockart, Theo Preston and Cyani Jacobs. “The BLM mural done by myself […]
Carrboro's BLM Mural for Town Hall at a Standstill Until 2021
While painting of the CommunityWorx "Black Lives Matter" mural began earlier this week, the discussion surrounding painting another mural on Carrboro’s Town Hall carries on.
Carrboro Pushes Forward With Two BLM Murals; Painting To Start This Month
Back in June, the Carrboro Town Council began its mission to paint the town's very own Black Lives Matter mural. This month, two murals are finally underway.
Deal in Place to Sell CommunityWorx Building, Stave Off Foreclosure While Keeping Thrift Shop Open
After exploring options while undergoing foreclosure proceedings in court, CommunityWorx leadership says it has a deal to sell its buildings.
CommunityWorx, Formerly PTA Thrift Shop, Facing Foreclosure in Carrboro
CommunityWorx, a nonprofit known for its thrift shop, announced Monday it's facing foreclosure at its 117 and 125 West Main Street buildings.
Carrboro Helps Braxton Foushee 'Smell His Flowers' with Street Dedication, Ceremony
The Town of Carrboro celebrated one of its most influential figures on Wednesday, holding a ceremony to recognize Braxton Foushee.
‘Larks and Ravens’: A New Spin on Contra Dancing
As contra dancing has spread beyond its country roots to bigger cities and college towns, groups have started using gender neutral terms.
New Mural Honors Black Leaders From Chapel Hill and Carrboro
Chapel Hill and Carrboro community members are now greeted by a new mural near the towns’ overlap, which honors and recognizes Black civic leaders from the two towns. The mural, located at 111 South Merritt Mill Road along the Chapel Hill-Carrboro border, was completed by artist Kiara Sanders in late September. The piece, titled ‘African-American […]
›