Mural Dedication Ceremony for Fortune
Head stone of Fortune at Riverside Cemetery in Waterbury, CT.
Last year, The Alex Breanne Corporation began an effort to celebrate a formerly enslaved man. That man was Fortune.
Fortune was an 18th century enslaved man in Waterbury, CT. After his 1798 death, his bones were used as a training tool, museum exhibit and research artifact for over 215 years; finally laid to rest in 2013.
In September 2023, The Alex Breanne Corporation initiated the Fortune Mural Project. The idea was to use art to inject Fortune into the community he once lived in. The first to know about our intent was this community of Alex Breanne Corporation supporters. You all believed in the vision and helped raise $15,000 before anyone else knew. We would ultimately raise nearly $20,000. I am eternally grateful to you all.
Armed with funds, we engaged The RiseUP Group, a Connecticut-based public arts non-profit. Their Executive Director, Matt Conway, asked us if we had buy-in from individuals and entities in the Waterbury community... we did not. So, we reached out to many individuals, ultimately forming a committee that included The Greater Waterbury NAACP, Silas Bronson Library, Riverside Cemetery, The Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office, The Waterbury Mayor’s Office and many others, The RiseUp Group then found a local artist to perform the work (Katiana Jarbath-Smith) and the Mayor’s office helped us secure the North End Recreation Center as the location where our mural would be placed.
Although all was going well, we were still $5,000 short by June 2024. Fortunately, Kelly Clarkson asked me to appear on her show. During my segment, actress Aisha Tyler generously offered to cover the remaining $5,000. This allowed the artist to begin working.
It’s now over a year into this effort and the mural is nearly complete! On November 2nd, 2024 @ 11am, we will be officially presenting the Fortune Mural at a dedication ceremony to be held at the North End Recreation Center; 268 N Main St in Waterbury, CT.
The Fortune Mural is intended to challenge our common definition of exceptionalism. It turns the lens towards those who may not be in our history books, yet built this country. It celebrates those who were kind-hearted, God fearing, and raised families, all while enduring racism, bias and mistreatment; doing so long enough for us all to exist today. To honor that definition of exceptionalism, the Fortune Mural also lists the names of individuals who have carried on the legacy of Fortune, embodying the same characteristics. Their names can be seen depicted on the Tree of Life… individuals who have had a positive impact on the North End Recreation Center and the community at large.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the North End Recreation Center. We are excited to celebrate this milestone alongside the dedication of the new mural; a celebration highlighting both history and community.
Please join us if you can. Also, thank you to all who helped us along on this journey. You are appreciated.
God bless.
John
