KINSTON, NC (WNCT) – Kinston streets are getting a little more colorful.
The crews hung a new mural commemorating a milestone in the civil rights movement, the 1951 Adkin High School Walkout.
“Over time, people tend to forget and we never want to forget that,” said Jamil Burton, the mural painter.
Burton and his co-artist Maximillian Mozingo want people to remember the strike when black Kinston School students left their classrooms to fight for equal educational opportunities.
“What these kids did when it wasn’t the norm took courage and courage,” said Mozingo.
The two artists painted eight individual panels for a month.
The panels add color and message to a blank wall on Caswell Street.
“Artists are the keepers, keepers of the truth,” said Burton. “I’m trying to see when you’re a part of something like that, you’re telling this story.”
They hope that after nearly 70 years this mural will be a sign of pride and respect.
“To move a culture forward, you need courageous people, and those people were very brave,” said Burton.
The artists show people where Kinston came from and where the city can go.
“The younger generation will know what happened before them,” said Burton.
The Mural Committee is holding a drive through event on December 26th from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. People should gather at AME Zion Church of St. Augustus at 12.30pm and go to the wall at 1pm
To keep up with COVID-19 restrictions, attendees will not be able to gather outside of cars or hold any other formal language event.
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