"As a longtime Board Member of The Walls Project, I’ve witnessed its impact on enhancing the visual environment and cultural messaging within our city. Artistic installations across our community add creative energy to its civic image and progressive profile. By supporting The Walls Project during 225GIVES, this creative revitalization program can transform even more neighborhoods." Rex Cabaniss
The Walls Project's Community-Based Events initiative has been very active in the past year, creating opportunities for community members to come together and improve their neighborhoods.
One highlight of our efforts was the annual MLK Festival of Service, which we helped start in 2016. This year, we continued to lead four volunteer events, engaging hundreds of volunteers from organizations like Southern University, LSU, and ExxonMobil.
Two of our placemaking activities included painting a mural at the MLK JR Community Center in District 7 in partnership with Councilmember LaMont Cole, and another public placemaking installation in District 2 in partnership with Councilmember Chauna Banks at the Jewel J. Newman Community Center near the airport. We also offered two urban agricultural volunteer opportunities through our Baton Roots Program, including a garden bed clean-up at the Clarksdale Community Garden and another at the garden at Capital High School.
"I became the treasurer of The Walls Project in 2019 when I first moved to Baton Rouge because I witnessed The Walls Project's remarkable ability to bring together thousands of volunteers from all walks of life during their MLK Day of Service. Giving to The Walls Project during 225Gives means supporting an organization that has a proven track record of engaging and empowering our communities. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of those in our parish." - Thomas Donley, CFO
Through these efforts, we were able to revitalize and beautify various areas of Baton Rouge, while also promoting a sense of connectivity and social responsibility among community members. We are grateful for the support of our volunteers, Councilmembers, City of Baton Rouge, Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome, Office of Community Development, and many more who came together to make these events a success.
Moving forward, we remain committed to creating opportunities for community members to come together and make a positive impact in their neighborhoods. By working together, we can continue to break down barriers and create safe, healthy, and prosperous environments for all community members.
COMMUNITY-BASED EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
MLK Fest created two new murals and engaged hundreds of local volunteers
X Event celebrating our 10th anniversary
Hosted Ashli O. it kick-off her art display at Walls Headquarters
Multi-city Juneteenth planning to support local nonprofits in Baton Rouge