BBG Travel & Tourism Stop: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Community Mural Project 

By Paula Kaufman

As you make your way into Charleston on I-64, keep an eye out for a wall that seems to glow with splashes of vivacious color. There you will find a larger-than-life portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in vivid hues—and it’s unlike any mural you’ve seen before.

Yes, the rainbow palette is eye-catching. But what makes this piece truly special is who helped create it. Surrounding Dr. King are 1,325 individual self-portraits painted by people from across the community. Children, parents, teachers, church members, artists, first-time painters. Their efforts joined to make the largest collaborative painting in West Virginia, and one of the largest participatory murals in the country.

The project was led by artist Jeff Pierson. He stated that his vision was “of the community and by the community.” This is in keeping with the theme of Dr. King’s leadership style which emphasized “we” over “me,” and bottom-up grassroots community organizing. 

It took three years and more than 30 painting workshops held around the city to complete the mural. This gave as many opportunities as possible for individuals to paint their self-portraits. The portraits were painted on polytab, a material later adhered onto the mural. Black churches, local schools, and members of the LGBTQ community played an important role in bringing the mural to life.

The mural was created to mark the 60th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, however, it also connects to a meaningful moment in Charleston’s own history. On January 24, 1960, a 31-year-old Dr. King visited First Baptist Church in Charleston as a guest speaker. 

According to the Charleston Gazette, the church was filled to capacity—the balcony, gymnasium, and even the aisles packed with people eager to listen. The newspaper called him “courageous” and urged the Charleston community to prove King’s message had not been in vain. The mayor attended and introduced him. During his sermon, King spoke of change, saying that “an old order is dying and a new one is being born,” and reminded listeners that progress is not inevitable—it’s something we must actively work toward.

That message feels increasingly urgent, as impulses of greed and individuality seek to eclipse a community-minded framework. We have made great strides and yet many remain. We are still miles off from a world of economic and racially equal society and international mutuality and peace.

Standing in front of the mural, the many small faces add together to create a whole.  It’s a vital visual reminder that we do nothing by ourselves and no project is made entirely alone. The only difference is that often, the community hands behind the work are made invisible. This mural makes them visible. It is a beautifully colorful sight to behold. As you come off of the I-64 interstate, take a look, see if you can see this mural and the message it projects. 

For BBG Travel & Tourism, murals like this Dr. Martin Luther King Jr one are destinations–places where visitors can connect with Black Appalachian history beyond guidebooks and postcards. If you’re building a West Virginia itinerary that includes culture, context, and community, this stop belongs on your list. 

Want more places like this? Subscribe to the Black By God: The West Virginian Travel & Tourism newsletter for murals, landmarks, and stories worth stopping for across the state. the state.