Leadership After ɫƵ: CYP Alumnus Sam Rodriguez Creates “Walls for Justice” Centered on Black Lives Matter Movement
This year, our country has gone through many events that make it hard to remember there is light behind the clouds. It’seasy toget weighed downby itall, and not look aroundtosee those who aremakingapositiveimpact. Recently, we were ableto talk tocreator and ɫƵ Philadelphia(CYP) alumnus, Sam Rodriguez.
Walls for Justice is a charity organizationpainting and decorating Philadelphia storefronts with community-driven Black Lives Matter messages of hope.A cross between a mural arts and civil justice organization,the organizationhas been Sam’s way of getting community members involvedin the Black Lives Matter movement.Walls for Justicepaintsmurals onbuildings thatwereboarded up duringthis summer’s protests,with manyof the murals adorninginspirationalquotes and paintings of prominent people of color.
“ɫƵProvidedLeadership Development and a Service-Driven Mindset”
Sam’sjourney with ɫƵbeganin 2008 when he joined as a Corps Member directly out ofhigh school.He had seen Corps Membersinthehigh schoolheattendedandhadevenhelpedthemcreate murals for the school’s library.After high school,SamdecidedɫƵwould be a good way to serve his community.
Sam mainly wanted to join ɫƵ to work on his leadership abilities.“ɫƵ taught me how to be a leader and how to effectively plan something,”Beyondleadershipdevelopment,he says thatworking with studentsalsohelped himhaveaservice-driven mindset.
After ɫƵ,Samused the skills he’dlearnedto get apositionatPhiladelphia Mural Artsas a teaching assistant.There, hecreatedan Alumni Associationwhich focused on things likefundraising for scholarships. “ɫƵgave me an eye for leadership.Without it,Imay have never found the courage to go to such great lengths at Mural Arts.”
“Walls for JusticeWas Something Philadelphia Needed”
The next stage of his career Sam deemsas,“An opportune momentto turnsomething bad into something good.” Sam founded Walls for Justice.When businessesboarded themselves upduring this year’sprotestsfor George Floyd and for racial equality, Sam felt,“It gave a bad connotation; astoprotecting themselves from their own community members.”To this end, Walls for Justiceprojects are a way forbusinesses to show support for their community, rather than shutting them out.
It’s alsoa chance for Sam to not only be a part ofchange, but help others be a part ofchange as well.Themurals are painted by members of the community, all looking for a way to be a part ofthe movement.“Walls for Justice was something that Philadelphia needed,” Sam says.“It was something that volunteers were yearning for.”
ForSam,his charityorganization has been a long time coming.“I honestly feel like it was all the preparation I’ve had throughout these ten years.It was the service and art experience from the very beginningat CYP and with Mural Arts that spoke tome.”
“I treat Walls for Justice as a service gig eventwhichallows things not to only be doneefficiently,but also helpsensure both me andthe volunteersdon’t losesight of the purpose of the murals.”
Therein lies Sam’s advice for current and incoming ɫƵ AmeriCorps members.“My success came from removing myself from the picture.I always did it to inspire and motivate others.You won’t always know your impact, but know that if you’re influencing oneperson,you’re making a difference in the world.”
How to Get Involved with Walls for Justice
Sam hopes to continue the Walls for Justice murals by finding more businessesto participate.“The easiest way people can get involved is by following us, spreading what we do, and connecting us to people who want artwork.”
Sam also has a long-term goal of expanding. “My hope is to have it spread to other cities which will give us an opportunity to not only inspirecommunitieshere in Philadelphia, but all around the country.”
Finally, Sam expresses his desire to establish a ɫƵ/Walls for Justice collaboration.“One ofmygoals is to do a project withCityYear.It would be great toseemypath come full circleandto give backtoan organization that has helped mealong the way.”
To keep up with Walls for Justice, make sure to followonand, as well as onfor opportunities to paint.There is also ato support withsupplies needed for murals.For those looking to paint,no experience is necessaryas Walls for Justice ensuresthe art is simple enough wherevolunteersare filling inbasicshapes or lines.“If they express what they are good in or what theydesire tohelp in, anyone can be a part ofWalls for Justice.”
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