It all started when Terri Lipsey Scott, executive director of the Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, decided a Black Lives Matter mural should sit in front of the museum at 2240 9th Ave. S and be revealed on Juneteenth.

Jenee Priebe, associate director of the city’s Shine mural festival, was tasked with finding 16 diverse local artists to complete one letter each in the Black Lives Matter phrase.

The program featured prayer, singing of the Black National Anthem (Lift Every Voice), poems and speeches from state and local leaders, including Mayor Kriseman, Senator Darryl Rouson, County Commissioner Ken Welch and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist.

Kriseman recognized Juneteenth in a proclamation, saying, “I want to proclaim what matters…Black Lives Matter in the Sunshine City.”

Lipsey Scott stood surrounded by the museum’s board members and express how grateful she is for her dream of a Black Lives Matter mural being fulfilled.