GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — West Michigan artists are finishing up a mural that honors the life of Grand Rapids native Breonna Taylor.
With bright colors and thoughtful designs, like butterflies to represent Taylor’s metamorphosis, it’s hard to miss the creation at the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Oakdale Street.
“It’s beautiful,” said Tawana Gordon, Taylor’s cousin. “All we really want to portray, is who she is so everybody in Grand Rapids knows who she is and Grand Rapids doesn’t forget who she is.”
Work began two weeks ago.
Taylor’s family collaborate with a handful of local artists in coordination with Black Lives Matter of Greater Grand Rapids, Justice for Black Lives, Latinx for Black Lives, and White Allies of Black Lives Matter Greater Grand Rapids.
“We want to make sure that this gives people hope and lets them know that people are thinking about everyone in the community and not just Breonna, but every victim of police brutality,” said Gordon.
According to organizers, two dozen people volunteered and another 100 donated $2,500 to fund the project.
“I want it to be a sign that we have to still demand justice not just for her, but for everybody who has been mistreated,” said Sean Sommersell, lead artists. “There’s been a lot people.”
“We’re still struggling to let her go, so I think for us, just watching people come together in our time of grief is something that is giving us hope, it’s inspiring,” said Gordon.
