A preview of Miami artist Addonis Parker’s “Thunder & Enlightening” mural on the facade of OneUnited Bank in Liberty City, FL
MIAMI, FL – June 9, 2015 – The Miami Branch OneUnited Bank hosted a private preview for selective journalists, family and friends of the 21 teen apprentices who graduated from the OneUnited Mural Project apprenticeship program on May 29, 2015, at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center in Liberty City, FL. The OneUnited Mural Project includes an apprenticeship program sponsored by the Miami Children’s Initiative, The Liberty City Renaissance Project and OneUnited Bank.
The preview showcased the individual renderings that the youth apprentices developed while assisting celebrated Miami artist Addonis Parker in creating the 10 feet by 55 feet thought-provoking mural that will be erected on the facade of OneUnited Bank at “The Unveiling” event on Saturday, July 11, 2015.
During the event, the selected 21 inner-city youth apprentices from 9 local high schools in South Florida were awarded certificates of completion from the OneUnited Mural Project – a public art works, youth development, community beautification program providing arts enrichment through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) education – and received a $250 stipend, opened a bank account and participated in a “Day-at-the Bank,” where they learned financial literacy skills. Teri Williams, President and Chief Operating Officer of OneUnited Bank, believes that the mural project will benefit the teens and the Liberty City community. “The mural event confirmed our commitment to bring more art and financial literacy to Liberty City,” Williams said.
The final mural, Thunder & Enlightening, will convey a controversial message of freedom and hope by expounding on social and economic unrest – using media icons like Trayvon Martin, Christina-Taylor Green, Michael Brown, local and national law enforcement and the 343 firefighter heroes from the aftermath of 9/11. It will serve as a global bipartisan exchange to unite the world on a plateau of peace. Thunder & Enlightening will achieve the ambitious goal of being the artistic blueprint for the documentation of truth and a more sincere approach to equal justice. The mural will celebrate the passing journey of racism, bigotry, fear and historical falsehood; and embrace the birthing of a more unified nation in the spirit of love. Williams knows that the murals will engage, inspire and be a catalyst for community development for the 79th Street Corridor and Liberty City.
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