Great Egret on Black United Fund of Oregon

Location: Black United Fund of Oregon, 2828 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

Artists: Mehran Heard @Eatcho and Jeremy Nichols @Plasticbirdie

In 2014, organizations Vox Siren, Black United Fund of Oregon, and Portland artists Mehran Heard and Jeremy Nichols collaborated to create this 25 by 100 foot mural that celebrates historically significant black women. Situated on the Black United Fund of Oregon building on NE Alberta, an area that has undergone tremendous gentrification, the mural features Coretta Scott King, Angela Davis, Ruby Bridges, Maya Angelous, and Ruby Dee.

Kimberlee Sheng, former executive director of Black United Fund of Oregon, said she hoped the mural would spark conversation and serve as a call to action, inspiring the public to explore their vital work. The organization provides resources to low income areas and communities of color through grants, scholarships, mentorships, and partnerships.

As for the bird? We asked Mehran why he chose to include the Great Egret as such a significant feature. “I wanted a depiction of something that is local while being in relation to figureheads that were pivotal to the civil rights movements. A bird is always a symbol of freedom, having those wings to fly, taking on the challenge of the sky.”

He also talked about the common theme of displacement, making parallels between both wildlife and people. “We depict birds in statues, but that doesn’t reflect how we actually treat the animal kingdom. This egret is pretty much displaced in areas so there is this weird irony that you pay homage to something that is struggling.”

Learn more about this mural through this video by Vox Siren.