Down with Dope, Up with Hope

Down with Dope, Up with Hope by artist shanina dionna is located in the Mantua neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The mural is a tribute to the late C.B. Kimmins, co-founder of Mantua Against Drugs (M.A.D.), who dedicated his life as a legendary activist in the city. Kimmins stood up to some of Philadelphia’s toughest drug dealers. “He wouldn’t give in and he wouldn’t give up,” said former City Council member Jannie Blackwell. For four decades, Kimmins, equipped with only a bullhorn and hardhat, cruised the streets at night with other activists. They stared down drug dealers and tried to steer young people away from a life of crime. Kimmins received many honors, including the 1999 Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Involvement Recognition Award, the magazine reported. The accolade, presented by University of Pennsylvania President Judith Rodin and civil rights activist Al Sharpton, recognized Kimmins’ work in West Philadelphia. C.B. is survived by his daughters: Bryn Cox and Brielle Kimmins; grandson, Liam Kimmins; and best friend, Andee Kimmins.

The mural features an image of Kimmins’s legendary hardhat. Kimmins is pictured wearing the hardhat, along with portraits of his fellow activists and supporters, including:

David E. Hardy Jr.
David E. Hardy Jr. was born in West Philadelphia. He was an early member of the M.A.D. movement. While attending Temple University, he worked with Jobs for Peace. David became an active member of the M.A.D. movement in 1991 after traveling to Boston to combat drug violence in the Roxbury projects.

Malik Aziz
Malik Aziz, who has experienced incarceration, worked with the Stop the Violence movement and later joined forces with Mantua Against Drugs.

Reverend Margaret Knight
Reverend Margaret Knight marched alongside C.B. Kimmins, supporting the movement against drugs and violence.

Arleen Freeman
Arleen Freeman, born in Germantown, Philadelphia, met Herman Wrice and C.B. Kimmins through Town Watch Integrated Services. She later joined Mantua Against Drugs in the early 90s.

Brielle Kimmins
Brielle Kimmins is the daughter of the late activist C.B. Kimmins. Growing up in the heart of the movement, she now continues her father’s legacy through his mentorship program, CB’s Role Models.

Sam Porter
Sam Porter, born in North Philadelphia, joined the anti-violence and drug movement between 1995-96 after the murder of his beloved sister.

Joyce Gordon-Moody
Joyce Gordon-Moody, born in North Philadelphia, is one of the original members of Mantua Against Drugs. She joined M.A.D. in 1997, where she met her best friend, Arleen Freeman, a fellow neighborhood activist. Together, they became foundational members of the anti-drug movement, supporting C.B. in his anti-violence vigils across Philadelphia.
Joe Nash
Joe Nash, born in West Oak Lane, became an active member of the movement after experiencing crime in his neighborhood. Joe and his wife Shirley graciously donated C.B. Kimmins’ burial plot.

Greg Bucceroni
Greg Bucceroni, born in South Philadelphia, first met C.B. Kimmins as a troubled youth at South Philadelphia High with fellow activist David Fattah in 1979. Herman, C.B., and Fattah helped Greg enlist in the army in 1981 instead of serving a jail sentence. After returning from active duty in 1985, Greg joined the anti-drug movement and became a community activist in Kensington.