The late Representative John Lewis spent the entirety of his life fighting for social justice and equality. Up until the moment of his passing, he was championing those that came behind him to join in the fight, a fight that began while he was a student at Fisk University and American Baptist College. He was the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and trained the students that initiated the national Woolworth’s sit-ins, and led the march over the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on “Bloody Sunday”. He was a man of purpose, quiet strength and dignity in the face of turmoil.
To commemorate the life of Representative Lewis, we are erecting a mural on the corner of 5th Avenue and Commerce St. The mural will be four stories tall and will be a grand statement to his legacy here in Nashville. The mural will completed by Nashville muralist, Michael McBride, assisted by Herb Williams and Donna Woodley. Biographies and samples of their work are here.
The mural will be revealed in October 2021. All contributions can be made through The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Nashville Unites Fund and are tax deductible. At the completion of the piece, a plaque will be placed that features the Representative Lewis’ story, the artists names, and any patron who has contributed $2,500 and above to the mural. We hope that the plaque will include your name.
Thank you!
Representative John Lewis Mural Committee Members:
Councilwoman Joy Styles – Chair, Dr.Jens Fredericksen, Dr. Phyllis Qualls, Crissy Cassetty, State Rep. Vincent Dixie, Paula Roberts, PhD., Alfred Degrafinreid, Ashley Bergeron and David Ewing
Sponsorship Levels
COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS – BUY A BRICK
Names listed on the website
Beloved Community
Commemorative Certificate
$10 – $250
Change Agents
Commemorative Certificate and Tumbler
$250 – $500
Love’s Way
Commemorative Certificate & Coffee Mug
$500 – $1,000
Good Trouble
Commemorative Certificate & T-shirt
$1,000 – $2,499
CORPORATE/INDIVIDUAL INVESTMENTS
An autographed commemorative print of the mural comes with each contribution. Names will be added to the public plaque affixed to the mural.
Equity & Justice
$2500 – $5000
Lewis’s Legacy
$5000 – $ 10,000
Bridge Builders
$10,000 – $20,000
Freedom Fighters
$20,000+
To donate by check:
Please make it out to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and note John Lewis Way Mural in the memo line.
Mail your gift to:
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
P.O. Box 440225 | Nashville, TN 37244
