Street Art Photos of African American Leaders

Camilo J. Vergara also has photographed street art portraying African-American leaders. His photos show how street art can pay respect to national civil-rights leaders, celebrate local trailblazers and teach African-American history to future generations. Vergara notes the ubiquity of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Marcus Garvey and the increasing presence of street art depicting African American women such as Angela Davis and Rosa Parks.

*Martin Luther King, Jr. mural, Gift of Life Institute, Callowhill St. between N 2nd St. and N 3rd St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2009*.

*Angela Davis, Fifth Ave. at W 125th St., Harlem, New York, 2010.*

*Wall mural showing Aaliyah Dana Haughton, singer raised in Detroit, 13910 Mack Ave., Detroit, Michigan, 2008.*

*Mural by Sam Phillips, Barack and Michelle Obama, Fair Party Store, 6541 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, Michigan, 2013.*

*Malcolm X by Bennie White, 1993. AAA Party Store, E Warren Ave. and Lenox St., Detroit, Michigan, 2009.*

*Mural memorializing Mahalia Jackson, W Montana St. and Woodward Ave., Highland Park, Detroit, Michigan, 2009.*

*Martin Luther King, Jr. mural commissioned by the Tabernacle of Deliverance for All People and painted by Estos, Frederick Douglass Blvd. and W 154th St., Harlem, New York, 2009.*

Dare to Dream' mural depicting Coleman Young, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Olympic medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos making black power salute during the 1968 Summer Olympics. Muffler shop, Cloverdale St. and Elmhurst St., Detroit, Michigan, 2015.

View additional photos by Vergara depicting street art of African-American leaders. All of the photos are from the Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division.

All of the photos in this guide are from the Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division. Camilo J. Vergara's photographs are used by permission of the photographer. For information on permissions and credit line, see the Camilo José Vergara Rights and Restrictions information page.

African American Communities in America's Cities: Photographs by Camilo J. Vergara

Prints & Photographs: Ask a Librarian

Street Art Photos of African American Leaders