Murals and Exhibits at the National Resource Center
Exterior Mural
FirstRepair’s vibrant exterior mural celebrates the promise of a repaired future, depicting life with reparations and emphasizing prosperity and joy. The exterior mural, designed by Chicago-based artist Damon Reed with support from Defining Humanity, was shaped by input from national reparations leaders during a visioning session at FirstRepair and NAARC’s 2023 National Symposium for State and Local Reparations. It incorporates symbols of the reparations movement, Black liberation, and FirstRepair’s mission. QR codes embedded in the mural provide passersby access to deeper insights into the history and context of FirstRepair’s work and the broader reparations movement.
In 2024, FirstRepair’s mural was recognized by Design Evanston with an award in Graphic/Experiential Design.
Watch the video of the July 2024 mural unveiling:
Representing the Community Voice
Through a series of community workshops and dialogues in 2023, FirstRepair, Defining Humanity, and artist Damon Reed gathered input and stories from residents and reparations movement leaders to capture the essence of their experiences, aspirations, and dreams. The mural is adorned with powerful symbols and artwork that celebrates Black culture, resilience, and the ongoing journey towards justice and equity.
Faces of Joy
The mural features multiple generations of a family, each individually a leader and together a reflection of our nation’s history. Their experiences of success, hope, and joy are woven into the artwork, serving as a powerful reminder of the strength and spirit that builds new possibilities. These individuals represent the contributions and efforts of our ancestors, the opportunity of the present, and the promise of the future.
“The beauty and strength of the Black community expressed in this mural is flooding my heart with profound joy, and immense hope. I hope this mural and the Resource Center serves as a charging station for the Black community and our allies working towards full repair.” – Robin Rue Simmons, Founder & Executive Director
QR Codes
The mural features multiple generations of a family, each individually a leader and together a reflection of our nation’s history. Their experiences of success, hope, and joy are woven into the artwork, serving as a powerful reminder of the strength and spirit that builds new possibilities. These individuals represent the contributions and efforts of our ancestors, the opportunity of the present, and the promise of the future.
The QR codes incorporated in the mural enable visitors to the area to learn more about the history, context, and background of the reparations movement, FirstRepair’s work, and the neighborhood of the building.
Color & Symbolism
Red: Represents strength and resilience.
Blue: Symbolizes hope and inspiration.
Purple: Reflects wisdom and dignity.
Teal: Signifies growth and renewal.
Colors serve as a powerful reminder of our community’s resilience, aspirations, and unity and continue striving for a brighter future.
About Damon Reed, Muralist
There’s truth to the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. The artist Damon Lamar Reed brings that truth to reality. He learned early on, that regardless of the medium, his purpose was to inspire. Damon often says, “I paint raps and I rap paintings.” His goal is to create messages that reach the depth of the human condition. Damon has contributed to several murals in Evanston and across Chicagoland.
About Defining Humanity
Defining Humanity advances equity by crafting safe and welcoming spaces that nurture learning and innovation in underserved communities. We unlock potential in underserved communities with spaces designed for safety, learning, and togetherness.
For more information about our work, please visit us at www.defininghumanity.org.
Art Installation: “Finding Eden”
Finding Eden by Maia Faith is a stunning new art installation celebrating Black families, the vision of reparations, and the joy of repair. FirstRepair thanks the Evanston Community Foundation for the generous funding making this art installation possible.
About Maia Faith
Maia (pronounced my-ee-uh) is a nurturer and storyteller, using her art to amplify the voices of those often overlooked by society, media, and history. She strives to create spaces where people feel a sense of belonging, using her work to foster empathy and human connection. Now, as a new mother to a baby boy, her artistic journey takes on even greater urgency—to help build a world where he not only feels safe and accepted but also appreciates the richness of humanity’s diversity.
Raised in Evanston, Il with Jamaican and Vincentian roots, Maia learned early on the power of embracing differences. Influenced by her background and works like Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy, she strongly advocates for second chances and challenges societal prejudices.
Maia’s art captures these universal connections, highlighting the small yet powerful moments of love that bring people together. Through vibrant strokes and layered textures, she reveals the unseen emotions and spirits of her subjects, inviting viewers to see beyond the surface. Each piece serves as a love letter to humanity, illustrating how even in our differences, we are all deeply connected.