Georgia’s Own Credit Union, the third largest credit union in Georgia, is kicking off Black History Month with a towering mural illuminating the downtown Atlanta skyline. The original artwork – over 450 feet in the air and as wide as two basketball courts – features the faces of Black children and notable Civil Rights leaders Madam C.J. Walker and Atlanta native John Wesley Dobbs.
“The name of my piece is ‘Handle with Care,’ highlighting some important figures in Atlanta’s history in celebration of what they contributed both to our city and the world,” said C. Flux Sing, the local Black artist who created the digital painting. “The hand sharing a shining Lotus flower with two youths marks the next generation and symbolizes strength, overcoming adversity, rebirth and maintaining a spiritual purity while going through dark times, a perspective that can be directly connected to African and Indigenous American History. I feel it’s of extreme importance for us to honor our ancestors by continuing to share their true stories, achievements, creations, and innovations.”
John Wesley Dobbs was a political leader in Atlanta often referred to as the unofficial “Mayor of Auburn Avenue,” the spine of the Black community in the city. Madam C.J. Walker was an entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist who rose from poverty in the South to become one of wealthiest African American women of her time. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, she was the first self-made female millionaire in American history.
“Atlanta history and Black history are inextricably linked, so we wanted to use our sign to create a powerful representation celebrating Black History Month,” said Dave Preter, president and CEO of Georgia’s Own Credit Union. “Through the visionary artwork brought to life by C. Flux Sing, we are shining a light on the past, present and future of the Black community, hopefully capturing the hearts and minds of people all across the city who look up to the sky at our incomparable sign.”
From midnight EST on Feb. 1 through Feb. 4 at 11:59 p.m. EST, Atlantans can observe the spectacular 174-foot-long mural atop 100 Peachtree.
For more information about the sign and this initiative, please visit GeorgiasOwnSign.com.
About Georgia’s Own Credit Union
Georgia’s Own Credit Union has been a source of full-service banking and financial solutions for Georgians since 1934. Because it’s owned by and reports to its members (instead of stockholders), the not-for-profit institution is able to provide lower loan rates and fewer and lower fees than what is typically found in the market, all of which amounts to significant savings for families across the state. The 89-year-old credit union serves the metro Atlanta and surrounding areas, as well as Savannah, Albany and Augusta through its 35 branch locations, its contact centers, 24/7 phone banking, as well as its mobile, tablet and online banking platforms. Visit georgiasown.org to discover more about its commercial, industrial, commercial real estate, equipment and government-secured lending, in addition to a full suite of business deposit products, on-line business banking, treasury solutions, merchant service and payroll services.
