Mural Arts Celebrates 40 Years of Service in Philadelphia
Mural Arts Fuses Politics and Art Amid Celebrating 40 Years of Service
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October is Mural Arts month, also marking 40 years that this organization has dedicated hard work and compassion to the community of Philadelphia.
Chad Eric Smith — Senior Director of Communication, and Medina Oyefusi — Programmatic & Public Events Manager, stopped by to tell their stories and the impact that Mural Arts has had on Philadelphia over the years.
Smith moved to Philly at the top of 2020, months before the global COVID-19 pandemic. Here he discovered the organization and sought to bring change to not only the community, but representatives who serve the community. Smith set history with the organization, becoming the first male — and person of color — to serve as Director of Communications for Mural Arts. He spoke to how highlighting this need for change ultimately
“There tends to be a lot of White women in the Director of Communication roles in general… so I called that out directly as part of my interview process” Smith said. “As a Black man in a city that is predominantly Black and Brown, that I’d be able to bring a certain type of emotional intelligence and certain cultural lense that will be helpful in how we shape our stories…
Source: R1 / R1
I’ve worked at other organizations where the communications team was predominantly white, and they were shaping narratives about Black and Brown people — and I thought it was missed opportunities”
Medina Oyefusi, who joined Mural Arts in 2023, has been ecstatic with the organization, to the point where she could not point to just one event that served as her most memorable moment with Mural Arts
“Everyday is a memorable day, I’m trying new things, I get to experiment, and I think that’s the beauty of working for an arts organization” Oyefusi explained. “They give you the freedom to be creative, and they look at you as you were put in this position for your mind and for your creativity.”
Source: R1 / R1
Smith and Oyefusi also spoke on the details of their day-to-day at Mural Arts, highlighting must-attend events happening the rest of the year, and what is their favorite music to listen to, to get them in their creative mood.
Watch the full interview below!
