Black Lives Matter Mural Moves Forward In Norristown

NORRISTOWN, PA — Norristown Municipal Council has taken a significant step forward in the plan to install a Black Lives Matter mural downtown, a move which they say is a gesture of the unity and racial justice which they want the municipality to represent.

Officials unanimously approved this month the artistic design for the mural, which will be positioned prominently across from the Montgomery County Courthouse on Swede Street, adjacent to 425 Swede Street. The project was originally approved by council last August.

The mural was designed by artists Jeleata Nicole, a former Norristown resident who lives in South Carolina, and Drew Montemayor, a Conshohocken native and East Falls resident.

"I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this project, and can’t wait to fly home to get started," Nicole told Patch. "This project represents community and awareness, and for all to get involved in the movement and help create change."

The mural reads "BLACK LIVES MATTER," with different letters containing phrases supporting the movement, as well as visages of civil rights leaders and individuals who have lost their lives to violence. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, and George Floyd are all prominently featured in the lettering, while the word "matter" contains the faces of dozens more who have been killed.

RELATED: Norristown Council Approves Black Lives Matter Painting Downtown

Phrases embedded within the words include "teach peace" and "say their names."

"It brought me to tears when I saw it, because you guys just really hit everything on the head," Councilman Derrick Perry said. "And you really didn't make it look like something that was political...I know for sure we are going to be very proud of this."

The mural was heavily influenced by a Black Lives Matter mural installed in Cincinnati early in 2020, Montemayor said.

"Nothing brings me more joy then to use my talents to spread positive messages, spark creativity and hopefully inspire others to do the same," Nicole added. "Together we can create change, one paint stroke at a time."

Montemayor and Nicole are also hopeful that building the mural can be done with work from arts students in Methacton and Norristown Area high schools, as well as local community organizations.

"I would love for the kids who live here, who walk through these streets every day, to be a part of this," Councilman Hakim Jones said.

The timeline for work remains unclear, but officials are optimistic things could get underway by the middle of March. The weather is a factor: warmer than 50 degrees is ideal for the painting that must be done.

Construction on the budding Justice Center will not impact the project, council members said.