Brownsville Community Justice Center (BCJC), Groundswell NYC, and L+M recently unveiled a mural at Marcus Garvey Apartments (MGA) that was designed and created in collaboration with local youth. The mural, titled “We Are, I am” is located on the corner of Rockaway Boulevard and Dumont Avenues in Brooklyn.

The mural depicts a community coming together to proclaim, “We Are Brownsville.” Led by Groundswell artists Yolande Delius and Eric Miles, the youth met weekly throughout the summer for workshops where they explored the history of public art, identified social issues that affect them and their communities, and developed the technical skills necessary to translate those reflections into a collaborative onsite mural. Feedback from the community was also solicited for the mural design.

MGA was selected as the mural’s installation site when Groundswell, an organization that brings together artists, youth, and local partners to use art as a tool for social change, received a state grant to produce a community-driven art project that would galvanize the neighborhood.

L+M strives to create environments that represent the communities we are part of and is proud to partner with BCJC and Groundswell on a project that empowered Brownsville youth to create a beautiful and meaningful mural for their neighborhood.