Originally Published: El Central
Client: MiSide

Amber Ogden
December 19, 2024

On a chilly December afternoon, the walls of a once-forgotten building in Detroit came to life through photographic stories as families, friends, and passersby gathered to see the unveiling of I Am Because We Are, a mural that speaks to the heart of three interconnected communities.

Against the backdrop of 1800 18th Street, the former APAC building (located directly behind Michigan Central), the celebration echoed with laughter and shared memories as some sipped hot chocolate and warmed themselves by the fire while the spirit of Ubuntu. This philosophy reminds us that our humanity is tied to one another.

The I Am Because We Are mural is a testament to the resilience, diversity, and deep connection that define the Corktown, North Corktown, and Hubbard Richard neighborhoods. Inspired by the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasizes humanity’s interconnectedness with the phrase “I am because we are,” the mural celebrates the shared strength and unity of these Detroit communities.

Designed by local artists Jessica Trevino and Romain Blanquart, the I Am Because We Are mural transforms the former APAC building into a striking tribute to the community. Spanning two sides of the giant structure with vibrant 10 x 23-foot banners, the artwork features 104 portraits of residents whose lives and stories capture the resilience and unity of Corktown, North Corktown, and Hubbard Richard. The installation, completed last week, set the stage for Saturday’s celebration, where neighbors gathered to honor their shared history and collective future in a moment of pride and connection.

“Part of this project is to say let’s celebrate the residents who have been here for generations, who are actually welcoming these changes. That can be a bit weary sometimes because change is scary,” Blanquart said.

“And so what do we do? We just want to make sure that people understand that nothing that you see here, that’s happening today and whether that’s being highlighted, would have been possible without long-time residents.”

Some familiar faces are on the walls, like Amelia Duran and son Gabe of Garage Cultural, and some are being introduced, like long-time residents of Corktown Mario Muscat. A disabled veteran, Muscat highlighted that he could not have imagined being a part of something like this but is glad he is because it’s helping him and his family be connected to the ‘new Corktown.’

“I used to know every single house, everybody in Corktown. When we were kids, we ran around the neighborhood and knew our neighbors,” Muscat said.

“Now that newer people are coming in, we are starting to get to know them. I see they’re starting to come out to say hi to the old-time residents, and that’s what makes this mural important.”

For the past year, the mural has been created collaboratively. The lead artists worked alongside two young interns, Julianna Izzard of Corktown and Lamar Dupree of Hubbard Richard, who received a grant from the Cultural Crossroads of Michigan among others.

The project also provided paid opportunities through the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan for the interns to hone their artistic skills while actively contributing to a piece that celebrates their community. Their involvement highlights a commitment to empowering the next generation as caretakers of the neighborhood’s rich history and culture, ensuring its legacy thrives.

“What you see on the wall is a combination of multi-generational families and people who might have moved into the neighborhood in the last year, and so it was very important to be all-inclusive,” Blanquart said.

Artists Trevino and Blanquart describe I Am Because We Are as a heartfelt love letter to the neighborhoods they hold dear. Trevino, whose family has called Hubbard Richard home since 1962, has witnessed Detroit’s evolution through decades of continued change.

Blanquart, a French native who moved to Detroit in 2002, brings an outsider’s perspective shaped by two decades of immersion in the city’s culture. Their collaboration embodies the message of the mural: unity, diversity, and the power of community.

The title, I Am Because We Are, captures the ethos of Corktown, North Corktown, and Hubbard Richard, where stories of interconnectedness have been woven together over generations. These neighborhoods have faced challenges but have always risen with a shared sense of purpose and solidarity.

“The Ubuntu philosophy of Sub-Saharan Africa says that my existence and my well-being are only reflections of your well-being, and what I put into you will come to me,” Blanquart said.

“So, if I prosper, you prosper, we will all prosper. And so, we are interconnected, and if you take that at heart, really, that’s what makes a community function properly. It’s recognizing that we are all operating as human beings.”

The installation arrives at a pivotal moment for the area, with the recent full restoration and reopening of Michigan Central Station and developments continuously being added such as the Joe Louis Greenway. While these changes can be deemed scary, with gentrification taking place, the changes also signal hope and opportunity, they also spark concerns about preserving the original identities of the neighborhoods.

I Am Because We Are stands as a tribute to the people who have shaped Corktown, North Corktown, and Hubbard Richard, reminding the community of its rich history and the need to honor its roots while embracing new residents and opportunities.

The mural will remain on display for several months. Bedrock owns the building and there are currently no announced plans for it.

“We can only truly be ‘If I am, If you are, We are,’” Blanquart said.

“We wanted to get that message across and also just bring people together because even within the community, sometimes you realize not everybody knows each other. This is just another occasion to say, let’s talk to each other. Let’s engage in conversation.”

This story was made possible by the Race and Justice Reporting Initiative, which aims to build trust between the news media and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities and strengthen representative democracy. Funding for the initiative has been provided by a generous grant from Press Forward.