Meet Kiara Sanders, the visual artist behind the African American Trailblazers mural. This mural honors twelve Black leaders from Chapel Hill and Carrboro who helped shape and improve our community.
The mural features twelve African American pioneers who were vital to Chapel Hill and Carrboro’s history. Honorees include:
- Rev. Dr. L.H. Hackney, pastor and founder of the first Black high school
- Nurse Adelia Compton, the first Black employee for the Town of Chapel Hill
- Ms. Valerie Paige Foushee, North Carolina State Senator
- Ms. Addie Robinson, director and founder of Holmes Day Care at Hargraves Community Center
- Mr. Thurman Atkins, developer and entrepreneur
- Mr. Howard Lee, the only Black mayor of Chapel Hill and the first Black mayor in the South
- Mr. Bynum & Mrs. Susie Weaver, artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs
- Ms. Barbara Booth Powell, Chapel Hill Town Council, educator, and politician
- Mr. William D. Peerman, championship winning coach, mentor, and educator and the first Black head football coach at Chapel Hill High School
- Mr. Walter Riggsbee, HVAC builder and entrepreneur
- Rev. Dr. J.R. Manley, former pastor of the Rock Hill-First Baptist and Hickory Grove Baptist Church and community leader
Watch this video interview: https://zcu.io/fTt4
Learn more about the trailblazers: https://zcu.io/Qx73
View more of Kiara’s work: https://zcu.io/obam
