BLM Mural Project.

What’s happening?…. We’re painting a BLACK LIVES MATTER mural on Center St in front of City Hall while creating a sustainable plan for our community to step up to the challenge of being more racially inclusive and equitable and we need your help.

Letter of Intent

My name is Abi Mustapha. I’m a Santa Cruz and Bay Area Artist.  My intention for this BLACK LIVES MATTER mural is a dramatic call to action, on the part of the City of Santa Cruz’s government, organizations, businesses, and everyone involved throughout every stage of this project. Anyone who partakes in this incredible work is also called to the tremendously difficult, long-term act of deconstructing racism in our community and in ourselves. This mural is more than a symbolic action. Every participant is called to action. 

As we participate in this movement – including but not limited to, making phone calls, signing petitions, protesting, marching, donating, reading, making art, writing poetry and music, and speaking publicly – ask yourself what does it mean to stand up for racial justice and equality? What are each of us doing personally to change the systemic racism that is killing black people in this country? Have you taken the time to look at your own privileges, implicit biases, education, and how these affect our interactions with others and especially Black, Indigineous, and BIPOC members of our community? How do we want our government to implement racial equity in our community? How do we hold them and ourselves accountable in a transformational way?

My intention is that various organizations will have the opportunity to take turns in maintaining this mural. Furthermore, the group in charge for that year will be held to the task of showing us what their organization/group has done over the past year to address racial and LGBTQIA+ equity, environmental justice and human rights in this community. Working groups/committees will be created to review, support and acknowledge what has been accomplished. As well as offer recommendations if necessary. So together we may celebrate achievements and analyze ways in which we can improve. It is a chance for the community to come together and continue to actively be the change we want to see.

This mural and it’s maintenance are a statement of intent and accountability to what our community is doing to create a more just world.

Abi Mustaph

• Abi Mustapha- Local Artist and Ideas gal.
• Sean McGowen- Lead Organization wizard.
• Taylor Reinhold- Artist Activist & Send it Master.
• Shandara Gill- Founder of Yoga For All Movement, Activist, Local Badass.