MURALS

Black Panther Party 
10 Point Platform Murals

POINT NUMBER 4
"We want descent housing fit for the shelter of human beings."
​Oakland, CA.   March 2020

The conditions for poor Black African people and other oppressed peoples of color in America is deplorable, particularly in the area of housing. What is equally concerning is the lack of social empathy and humanity in our current society. U.S. capitalism has been the harbinger of dehumanization since it's inception. There has been a deliberate by the U.S. miseducation infrastructure to suppress the history  and legacy of peoples who have organized to serve the interest of oppressed peoples. During the  1960's and 1970's, the Black Panther Party courageously organized for change, creating community survival programs to address the social and political needs of struggling Black African people. The 10 Point program outlined the demands of the Party. Among the demands was point number 4, which stated, "We want descent housing fit for shelter of human beings." The homelessness and displaced community crisis has reached a boiling point in Oakland California.

Our local organization, AeroSoul in collaboration with Madow Futur came together during the COVID19 crisis to create more awareness around our unsheltered brother and sister. Our collective aim is to transforming the visual landscape to reflect the needs and aspirations of our community through mural painting. Revolutionary artists are essential workers needed to create an environment that positively impacts mental health and wellness. The side of the historic Greyhound building on San Pablo Avenue has been transformed from urban blight to a beacon of change. The Black Panther Mural we painted is a commemorative tribute to the legacy of the  Black Panther Party for Self Defense. We are currently raising funds to extend that mural and complete our campaign to paint all 10 points of the Black Panther Party 10 point program throughout the Bay Area. Your support is needed for us to reach this goal.  Please click the link to donate.
Thank you.  All Power To The People!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/blackpanthermural

Dr. George Washington Carver

​Commissioned by
SanFrancisco School District
SanFrancisco CA. 2015

AeroSoul Director and Oakland Maroons Co-founder Refa 1 recently completed a dynamic mural for the George Washington Carver Elementary School in Hunter's Point. This masterfully executed mural serves a pedagogical purpose because it transforms the visual landscape into a teaching tool. It prominently displays the periodic table along with west African Adinkra and Kemetic (Egyptian) Mdw Ntr (Hieroglyphs). As the young students at this K-5 elementary school walk by wide-eyed and excited by the bright vibrant tableau of stars, constellations and west African designs one can observe the spark of inspiration that this mural is creating. They are learning lessons that may not even fully realize until they are adults.Another lesson that was taught during the creation of this piece is that some may be inspired to be artists becasue they've witness a Black man bring this masterful image into being before their eyes. Someone who looks like them and their family bringing his imagination into the physical world through hard won skill, craft and dedication to his community. This mural is a love letter to the mulit-disciplinary genius of George Washington Carver, the intellectual traditions of African peoples and the untapped genius of our Black/Afrikan youth. Watching the inspiration and excitement on the faces of school staff, community members, parents and students alike is worth the trip to view this piece. Refa 1 is continuing in the tradition of Black Panther party as a Panther Cub by using his art to organize community for Liberation. Salute Oakland Maroon Refa 1 for doing the work! All Power to the People! -Deterville

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​"The Forces of Nature"

Commissioned by City Of Oakland
​Oakland CA. 2010

"The Forces of Nature" was commissioned by The City of Oakland in an attempt to remove tagging vandalism from a warehouse wall facing the 880 Freeway.
The Mural was designed to be a welcoming beacon into the city of Oakland as people travel into downtown from the Oakland airport. Given the predetermined subject of nature by the city and the property owner I felt it necessary in the times we live to compose a mural that spoke to concerns affecting the community. Creativity in concept as well as design were of utmost importance,I didn't to create another nature landscape mural typically associated with the topic. I decided to personify nature in the form of Mother Nature and focus on the beauty,gifts offered to us by the creative Mother. The Mural serves as a reminder to the community about how much we need to cherish our greatest resource, our children. Cosidering the fact that Oakland looses the lives of over 100 young people(mostly Black males) a year to violence, I felt it was urgent to create an image to help direct our attention to preserving precious life. Those sons lost are connected to Mothers who deserve the right to raise healthy,loving families. As the lead Artist I was able assemble a small crew of artist to help me with the task of bringing the 2 month long process to light. Chris Herod,Toons and members of the TCB and AeroSoul collective were responsible for supporting me in the completion of this vision. "The Forces of Nature" now stands as a beacon for spiritual,harmony,growth and community as well as environmental preservation.

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Heavy Traffic

Commissioned by 
SanFrancisco Arts Commission and Bectel.
SanFrancisco CA. 1995

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​"Still I Rise"

Commissioned by 
Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission
Sacramento CA. 1993

This Mural was inspired by the legendary Maya Angelou. Her literary contribution to our community is immeasurable. Her poem, Still I Rise, set the tone for the mural's theme. This particular mural examines the strides our sisters have taken to overcome the triple oppression (Gender, Nation & Class) of systemic white racism in America.

"You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you? 
Why are you beset with gloom? 
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken? 
Bowed head and lowered eyes? 
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you? 
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you? 
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs? 

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise. "

​-Maya Angelou

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