In Brownsville, a deep-rooted, historic neighborhood in northwest Miami-Dade, art has become a powerful tool to inspire residents and celebrate their community. The Brownsville Legacy Project — a series of murals commissioned by the Brownsville Civic Neighborhood Association, Inc., funded by Miami-Dade County and The Carrie Meek Foundation, and installed by H.O.P.E. Murals — has transformed Jefferson Reaves Sr. Park into a living gallery.
The project, supported by the Foundation’s groundbreaking Supporting Safer Communities Program, honors eleven of Brownsville’s most celebrated pioneers and leaders, ensuring their contributions are not only remembered, but serve as a unifying source of pride for years to come. Featured historic figures include Rep. Gwen Cherry, preservationist Dr. Enid C. Pinkney, and County Commissioner Neal Adams, Sr. For young people growing up in Brownsville, these images are daily reminders of the resilience rooted in their own community and collective identity, helping them see themselves as the next generation of protectors, builders, and leaders.
The effort was led by Kenneth Kilpatrick, president of the Brownsville Civic Neighborhood Association, Inc., and grandson of George W. Kilpatrick, Sr., a mural honoree. Kilpatrick Sr. was a well-known business owner and community leader in Brownsville from the 1950s until the 1980s. Kenneth stood with his family alongside other residents during the mural unveiling on May 17. Looking across the crowd of residents, relatives, elected leaders and advocates, he shared that it was a chance to honor his grandfather’s legacy of service and advocacy in the very community he loved.
A Neighborhood with a Storied Past
Brownsville is a historically Black neighborhood in Miami-Dade County, filled with landmarks that tell the areas culturally rich story. The Historic Hampton House, once a sanctuary for Black travelers during the Green Book era, hosted icons such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Muhammad Ali. The neighborhood is also home to historic Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, the final resting place for many of Miami’s pioneering Black residents, as well as Georgette’s Tea Room, a hub of social life and community connection.
For decades, the Brownsville Civic Neighborhood Association (BCNA) has worked to preserve these places and ensure the neighborhood’s legacy is never forgotten. Today, that work continues through a National Park Service grant secured by the Dade Heritage Trust, in partnership with BCNA. With the help of the urban planning firm PlusUrbia and the participation of community members, Brownsville is currently undergoing a survey of its historic and cultural resources. These efforts help ensure that the stories of Brownsville — its challenges and triumphs — are recognized as essential to the fabric of Miami-Dade’s history.
Building Community Through Art
Efforts like the Brownsville Legacy Project unite residents, foster pride, and strengthen neighborhood bonds. Public art has the unique ability to create shared spaces for reflection and dialogue, reminding us that our communities are defined not just by buildings and streets, but by the people who give them life.
In neighborhoods like Brownsville, which have faced disinvestment over time, projects that highlight cultural pride and honor local heroes play a critical role in creating safer, more connected communities. When young people see leaders who look like them, painted larger than life in the heart of their neighborhood, it can spark hope, self-worth, and responsibility in them. That spark also helps lead residents to step forward as mentors, neighbors, and caretakers of the place they call home.
The Foundation team congratulates BCNA and all of the honorees and their families. Your stories remind us that the greatness of Brownsville is not only in its history, but in its people.
