A new 50-foot mural celebrating the lives of African Americans and their contributions to North Carolina’s history is on display at the School of Government. The campus community is invited to see the mural, called “SERVICE.”
“SERVICE” is a creative interpretation of the 1960 lunch counter sit-in at F.W. Woolworth in Greensboro, N.C. The mural is on the first floor of the Knapp-Sanders Building opposite the dining hall. It may be viewed any time the building is open.
“SERVICE” was commissioned in 2009. It is the first in a series of murals that will commemorate the contributions of African Americans and Native Americans to the state.
The mural depicts a gathering of African American leaders at a lunch counter, and the artist, Colin Quashie, has featured the Greensboro Four—Joseph McNeil, David Richmond, Jibreel Khazan (formerly known as Ezell Blair Jr.) and Franklin McCain—as chefs. Quashie says that is “because they literally took possession of the lunch counter with their refusal to leave until served. By seeking service they were, by extension, serving a cause greater than themselves.”
The mural showcases 40 individuals and more than eight events symbolizing North Carolina’s African American history associated with civil rights, government, business, journalism and education.
The mural’s exhibition opened on July 26, 2010. Call (919) 966-5381 or visit the mural site for more information.