help us remember history
HONORING HENRIETTA LACKS
Donate to our Henrietta Lacks Mural!
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Henrietta Lacks honorary mural
In partnership with the Midtown East Community Association, Henrietta Lacks Family members and Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group we’re going to bring host a healing event with the local community and artists as we celebrate and honor the life of Henrietta Lacks. ($75,000 goal)
Why Donate?
Celebrate Henrietta Lacks' Legacy: Your donation contributes to immortalizing the remarkable story of Henrietta Lacks, whose HeLa cells have been a cornerstone in medical breakthroughs, in a way that honors her memory and acknowledges the complexities of her story.
Support Artists: We will ensure that the talented artists working on this project are adequately compensated for material and supplies ( $50,000) for their essential role in bringing this powerful story to life.
Foster Community and Education: Beyond beautifying our neighborhood, this mural will serve as an educational tool, inspiring future generations and stimulating important conversations about ethics, history, and the power of individual stories in science.
Drive Change: This project highlights the importance of ethical practices in medical research and acknowledges the racial disparities and injustices of the past, contributing to broader societal awareness and change.
Why is Henrietta Lack’s story so important?
Henrietta Lacks was a young mother whose cells, taken without her knowledge or consent, revolutionized modern medicine. Her "immortal" cells, known as HeLa cells, have been crucial in developing vaccines, treatments, and countless medical breakthroughs. Henrietta's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of ethical medical practices, informed consent, and the recognition of the contributions of Black women to science and health.
Our mural project aims to honor Henrietta Lacks' extraordinary legacy and bring awareness to her story and its ethical implications. By celebrating her life and contributions, we strive to educate the community about the importance of informed consent and the critical role that Black women have played in advancing science and medicine. This mural will serve as a lasting tribute to Henrietta Lacks, ensuring that her invaluable contributions and the lessons learned from her story continue to inspire and inform future generations. Your support in funding this project helps us keep her memory alive and fosters a dialogue about justice and equity in medical research.
Our collaborative approach to selecting a mural artist began with a Request for Proposals (RFP) that attracted over 50 submissions from talented artists across the country. After careful review, six semi-finalists were selected: Shawn Perkins, Melanie Royster, Georgie Nakima, Rae Akino, Austin 'Auz' Miles, and Betsy Casanas.
To ensure the chosen artwork would authentically honor Henrietta Lacks' legacy, we sought input from multiple members of the Lacks family, including Jeri Lacks and Shirley Lacks, as well as guidance from the Lacks Legacy Group and Midtown East Community Association. These invaluable conversations, along with a deep dive into "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by all artists, informed the creative process and helped shape the final artwork.
Through a community selection process, Shawn Perkins was ultimately chosen as our mural artist, bringing a unique vision and artistic talent to this important project.
Meet Shawn Perkins!
Shawn is a DC based artist whose mural work can be found all around the country. With Shawn’s mural sketch he wanted to create a bright and inviting design that catches the eye of any passersby. The palette features vibrant, neutral pastels, balanced with greyscale and subtle blacks for contrast. The design has an intentional “flow” with no harsh angles; this gives the artwork a feel of movement while complimenting the shape of actual human cells.
The focal point of the design is a portrait of Henrietta occupying the main wall, surrounded by illustrations of her "HeLa" cells and symbols related to Turner Station. Henrietta's life and legacy have a global impact, represented by symbols like the Earth and a diverse group of hands. The background includes subtle silhouettes that pay homage to the area and highlight unique facts about her history. This mural celebrates her story as well as the community of Middle East Baltimore.
Donate today to help Shawn's finish the mural by September 1st. Join the community celebration on September 14th. Your support is vital for honoring Henrietta Lacks' legacy.
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