HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL NR 2022-06-30 Leesburg Town Council Approves Black History Mural
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
July 1, 2022
Media Contact:
Leah Kosin, Assistant Public Information Officer
pio@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2781
Leesburg Town Council Approves Black History Mural
The mural is expected to be completed by August 2022.
Leesburg, VA (July 1, 2022) – On Tuesday, June 28, the
Leesburg Town Council approved the installation of a
Black History mural, on the east facing wall of the
Loudoun Museum.
The mural was proposed last spring by Carmen Felder,
president of the 89 Ways to Give Foundation, to highlight
the Underground Railroad and its significance to Loudoun
County.
“89 Ways to Give is super excited to move forward with
this project,” Felder said. “I feel this mural is definitely
going to bring tourism to Leesburg and the Loudoun
Museum while highlighting Black history and some of our
forgotten Freedom Fighters.”
The mural, which will be painted by local artist Shawn Perkins, will depict two notable
residents, Bazil Newman, a prominent Black landowner and ferry operator, and Leonard
Grimes, a Black abolitionist, who helped fleeing enslaved people find safety across the Potomac
River. The mural will be funded entirely by the 89 Ways to Give Foundation.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity 89 Ways To Give has to pay homage and tell the story of these
freedom fighters through this Black history mural,” said retired NFL Wide Receiver and 89 Ways
to Give Founder Santana Moss.
According to Felder, the project will begin the first week of August. It is estimated to take up to
three weeks to complete.
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