Exploring North Nashville history through art at Elizabeth Park

After tragedy struck her neighborhood in 2018, artist M. Simone Boyd wanted to do something. Boyd enlisted neighborhood youth to create a mosaic depicting civil rights leader Curlie E. McGruder. The mosaic, created in partnership with a neighborhood woodworking shop, was mounted on the side of the Elizabeth Park senior center, over a window that had been cemented over.

Now the Art Against Violence project has culminated in a total of five mosaics, depicting Black women who were pillars of the community — Curlie E. McGruder, Willie Mae “Momma” Boddie, Nora Evelyn Ransom, Mary Louise Watson and Juno Frankie Pierce. Simone joins descendants of these women to talk about their stories, as well as the legacy and future of North Nashville.

At the top of the show is @ Us, where we respond to listener questions and feedback. This week we got a call from host Khalil Ekulona's mom and we're asking listeners to share what's on your bucket list for a future show.

Guests:

• M. Simone Boyd, artist and community activist

• Rev. Margreat Smithson, daughter of Momma Boddie

• Barbara Watson, daughter of Mary Louise Watson

• Leitha Carter, daughter of Mary Louise Watson

• Alisha Haddock, granddaughter of Nora Ransom

Additional reading: 

• Nashville Scene: An Art Installation in Elizabeth Park Honors Black Women of North Nashville

• M. Simone Boyd's Twitter thread about the mosaics