South L.A. artist Brittney Price said her new mural, “It’s All For You,” honors Black leaders, local history, and community love.
Price’s art, the fifth and final mural in LA vs. Hate’s “Summer of Solidarity” series, was unveiled at an event Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Willowbrook Senior Center in South Los Angeles. The series highlights diversity and unity across each of the five county districts, at a time when hate crimes across California are rising.
In 2022, hate crimes against Black people increased 27.1%, from 513 in 2021 to 652 in 2022, according to the latest state Department of Justice report.
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USC poet laureate Shandela Contreras recites a poem during the unveiling of Brittney Price’s mural “It’s All For You” at the Willowbrook Senior Center on Saturday, November, 11, 2023.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
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USC poet laureate Shandela Contreras recites a poem during the unveiling of Brittney Price’s mural “It’s All For You” at the Willowbrook Senior Center on Saturday, November, 11, 2023.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
LA vs. Hate also launched its fourth annual “United Against Hate Week,” a county and statewide call against hate, with related programming from Nov. 12 through 18.
“It’s All For You” was created in partnership with Willowbrook Inclusion Network, Brotherhood Crusade, LA Commons, and the office of county Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, a news release said.
Other murals in the LA vs. Hate campaign, under the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations, involved artists from L.A.’s Latinx, Jewish, Indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities.
Before the mural unveiling, Price said it was essential that her work embodies a “spirit of unity” in current times.
The mural incorporates Sankofa imagery, a bird-like symbol from the Akan tribe of Ghana, “to symbolize the past and future,” Price said. Black children are seen riding bikes, and a Black man plays a saxophone. Local landmarks honored include Magic Johnson Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital, Willowbrook Community Garden and the Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Metro station. Painted butterflies float around Polaroid-style images of Black leaders in history.
At the center, a Black woman, with arms spread wide, pays tribute to real estate agent Velma Grant. After World War II, Grant turned 50 acres of undeveloped land in the Willowbrook, south L.A. areas into Carver Manor, a subdivision community for Black professionals and veterans.
“This mural isn’t just a painting,” Price said. “It’s a living archive of our past and a source of inspiration for the future. It’s a celebration of Willowbrook, its history, and the next generation of youth.”
USC poet laureate Shandela Contreras, L.A. city and county officials involved were all set to speak on Saturday.
During “United Against Hate Week,” L.A. events include a “True Colors” showcase performed by Jewish actors at the Museum of Tolerance, a candlelight vigil at El Segundo City Hall, bystander trainings on fighting antisemitism and Islamophobia, a Venice Beach block party, and more.
Pascale Cardozo, the director of social impact marketing at Taskforce, said that community members and civic leaders alike are all asked to “show their solidarity and stand against hate.” The week-long events hope to combat the “uptick” of such acts.
Victims or witnesses of hate crimes can report by calling 2-1-1, the county’s confidential hotline, or visit LAvsHate.org for access to free resources and multilingual support.
For more information on United Aginst Hate Week and a list of events, visit lavshate.org/uahw.
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