The final design at the Laurelton LIRR Station

On June 4, 2016 DIVAS for Social Justice in partnership with P.S 156 and RPGA Studio hosted a Community Design Day to finalize a mural project at the LIRR Laurelton Station. The final mural  design was welcomed in the community with assistance from P.S 156’s Mrs. Elizabeth  Hargrove, The Federated Blocks of Laurelton and other community members that provided help in completing the mural.

Mrs. Judy Rivera of The Federated Blocks of Laurelton works with Paa Obeng of P.S 156 to stencil on the final design.

For six weeks DIVAS provided mural design and robotics facilitation to 20 students at P.S 156. Through mural design facilitation and interviewing wonderful community members like Odette Whittaker the students were inspired to create a mural that featured the beautiful flowers of Laurelton.

Mrs. Whittaker visits P.S 156 to inspire our stencil design with her beautiful flowers.

Students learned to design stenciled flowers based on photographs taken by them with their mobile devices. It was very important to DIVAS that the children of P.S 156 take ownership of the project and were recognized by other community members as change agents through the activism of beautification for Laurelton. The support DIVAS for Social Justice received from Councilman Donovan Richards was invaluable and instrumental in ensuring this opportunity for 20 elementary school students to make a difference in the community through the STEAM for Social Change Program. Councilman Richards provided the organization with a CASA grant through the Department of Cultural Affairs.

Councilman Richards congratulates our mural designers on their wonderful work!

The mural was welcomed with excitement from Principal Moore and Assistant Principal Jackson of P.S 156. Our youth were also congratulated by Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman and Deputy Borough President Melva Miller. DIVAS for Social Justice would like to implement a five year plan to beautify the surrounding Laurelton LIRR walls with themes of environmental sustainability, economic development and displaying the richness of this Afro-Caribbean/American community.

Principal Moore and Assistant Principal Jackson are full of pride with the students of P.S 156