Terri Marshall
Terri Marshall has an online social media presence filled with images of her grandchildren and mother, as well as reminders of God’s love. Her optimism led me to choose a piece of Alma Thomas’s work. Alma Thomas liked to paint the beauty of the world around her rather than focus her artistic voice on creating a political message about the oppression of both African Americans and women.
Portrait Inspiration: Irises, Tulips, Jonquils and Crocuses by Alma Thomas
Portrait by: Danielle Harrell
Thank you to MIBOR for their support in the creation of this portrait.
Wiletta Atkins
Ms. Wiletta Atkins is brimming with soft power. Despite being rather reserved, she serves as President of Oak Hill Civic Association. She has a calm, dignified presence like the women in the works of Laura Wheeler Waring. Artist Cierra Johnson used the floral background elements of Waring to bring Ms. Wiletta’s poise to the foreground.
Portrait Inspiration: works of Laura Wheeler Waring
Portrait by: Cierra Johnson
Paula Brooks
Paula Brooks is in touch with her roots. She has spent years fighting for environmental justice in her neighborhood of Ransom Place and working with the Hoosier Environmental Council. She is a fierce advocate for her community and culture. Artist Cierra Johnson wanted to celebrate Ms. Paula with the Pan-African style of Lois Mailou Jones.
Portrait Inspiration: Lois Mailou Jones
Portrait by: Cierra Johnson
Cynthia Wright
Ms. Cynthia is one of our newest greatriarchs, and we are so happy to have her. She is soft-spoken and very demure, almost mysterious. I choose the abstracted works of Lilian Thomas Burwell for her background elements to reflect her mysterious and feminine demeanor.
Portrait Inspiration: Lilian Thomas Burwell
Portrait by: Cierra Johnson
Dr. Linda Johnson
Dr. Johnson has been putting faith into action her whole life. Born to a large Catholic family, she is an educator and world traveler. I choose to reference the work of Faith Ringgold for her portrait because of its connection to civil rights and storytelling. Ringgold quilts tell the story of America, and Dr. Johnson has spent years working in government to shape that history for herself and her students.
Portrait Inspiration: Faith Ringgold
Portrait by: Cierra Johnson
Delma Williams
Ms. Delma is an outspoken advocate for her neighborhood. She is an active member of One Voice, the Martindale-Brightwood resident congress. She is bold, bright, and fierce. I choose the work of Emma Amos to reflect her vivid personality.
Portrait Inspiration: Emma Amos
Portrait by: Cierra Johnson
Classie Wright
Mr. Classie has been a builder most of his life. He has over 40 years of construction experience, using his knowledge to build structures and communities. I choose to use elements from the work of Jacob Lawrence, whose paintings frequently depict blue-collar life in African-American communities. I'm excited to celebrate Mr. Classie and the work of many other black men who uphold our culture.
Portrait Inspiration: Jacob Lawrence
Portrait by: Cierra Johnson