Upon hearing that Black Lives Matter Plaza will be changed, a D.C. artist who helped paint the mural is reflecting on the project.
Standing in the middle of 16th Street Northwest in the Black Lives Matter Plaza, one of the artists involved with painting that promenade back in 2020 recounted showing up in the middle of the night “like ninjas” and getting to work.
“Art is a universal language that ignites conversations … it starts a conversation with people that you wouldn’t even think that you would have,” said Keyonna Jones, an artist who has lived in Southeast D.C. her entire life. “We saw this replicated all over the world, literally within 24 hours. And so it really solidified why I believe in art, why I do art, why art is my life.”
The District will be changing the mural after proposed legislation demanded the painting be removed or the city would risk losing federal funding.
Jones said she’s grateful for having been involved with that kind of project, but she also understands the reality of the situation and the threats of federal funding cuts the city was facing.
