Legacies: Our Neighbors Lead and Inspire

Legacies: Our Neighbors Lead and Inspire is located at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center in North Philadelphia. Commissioned by former City Council President Darrell Clarke before his retirement, the mural honors three powerhouse community leaders who impacted the lives of thousands of community members in this North Philadelphia neighborhood.

Designed by Ernel Martinez and Keir Johnston of the collective Amber Art and Design, the mural complements a pre-existing mural of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the facade of the recreation center named in his memory. The original mural was created by a founding member of the collective, Willis NOMO Humphrey, who passed away in 2018, assisted by mosaic artist Jonny Buss. The dedication of Legacies: Our Neighbors Lead & Inspire was a stirring event with heartfelt stories shared about the three honorees, Helen Brown, Harold “Malcolm” McCoy, and Bruce Webb. Artists Ernel Martinez and Keir Johnston were assisted by Mtukufu Mtumaini-El, Juan Carlos Valencia Michileno, and members of the Rec Crew. The Martin Luther King, Jr., Recreation Center is located at 22nd Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue.