by Shawn Nowlin
Black art has long been a significant force in the Roanoke community. Seeing powerful public images of people of color throughout the city is something Jaylin Smith, 15, says gives her and her friends a real sense of belonging.
“I live with my grandparents and we often talk about how Roanoke was when they were my age. Both say the idea of a mural dedicated to any Black person was something that never even entered their minds. I’m glad they are alive to see just how far things have come over the years,” Smith said.
When renowned Brazilian artist Thiago Valdi was in town earlier this month as part of a partnership with Sister Cities International, he and local artist Jon Murrill gifted a new mural to Northwest Roanoke in a span of 72 hours. Weeks before Valdi’s arrival, members of the community were asked to submit photos with the understanding that one would end up as a mural.
A picture of Roanoke City Public Schools social worker Danielle Austin-Johnson, taken by Jennifer Hayward, was chosen out of 50 submissions. Austin-Johnson says she learned the exciting news as everyone else did.
“I still feel like I’m in a dream. If it was not for Marlee Coles having a podcast event and Xavier Duckett working with Hollins University and the Roanoke Arts Commission, I would have never been a subject. Calls were made on my behalf and I am forever grateful,” Austin-Johnson said.
She added, “John and Thiago both did a blind selection and each photo was of me. As they were painting, people came up to them and said they knew who I was and were familiar with my grassroots work. The community created the narrative. I feel like this was divine intervention.”
Located across from the Humble Hustle Co. building, the mural is both transformative and vibrant. Many passers-by have gone to social media to share their thoughts. “I was going for a jog last weekend when I came across the mural,” wrote Jamal Walker. “I think it’s absolutely beautiful! Representation certainly matters as having more diversity is never a bad thing.”
Born in 1987 to parents Joe and Dorothy “Dot”, Austin-Johnson graduated from William Fleming High School in 2005. Pregnant with her first child Cam’ron when she walked across the stage to get her diploma, Austin-Johnson noted at this point in her life, she felt that society had counted her out.
“If you would have told people then that I would be where I am today, many would have laughed out loud. I know what it feels like to be doubted which is why I think I resonate with so many of our youth today like Jaylin,” she said. “It wasn’t easy, but I started taking classes at Virginia Western before transferring and earning a bachelor’s degree from the Jefferson College of Health Sciences. From there, I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Radford University.”
Roanoke’s latest mural painting has already had quite an impact on the Northwest community, something Austin-Johnson is honored to be a part of.
