Ambassador Andrew Young addresses the crowd gathered for the unveiling of a mural in his honor on May 16th, 2023. Photo courtesy: Fulton County.

ATLANTA, GA–Global Paint for Charity recently made a vital contribution to the Fulton County Youth Commission‘s Earth Day mural project consisting of a generous donation of 2,300 pounds of paint, valued at around $5,500. FCYC used the paint to commission a mural on the Atlanta Beltline. The mural, located near 725 Rice Street, features highly colorful messages promoting environmental sustainability and includes a portion honoring Ambassador Andrew Young, a long-time Atlanta advocate for sustainability and environmental justice. FCYC, driven by a desire to create positive change within the community, commissioned some of Atlanta’s leading muralists to paint the work of art.

Honoring Ambassador Andrew Young, A Champion of Sustainability and Environmental Justice:

Ambassador Andrew Young, a distinguished civil rights leader and former Atlanta mayor, has long been recognized for his unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental justice. Throughout his career, he has advocated for social and economic equality, while emphasizing the importance of preserving the environment for future generations.

The Unveiling:

On May 16th, 2023, Global Paint for Charity was in attendance as the Fulton County Youth Commission proudly unveiled the Earth Day mural to Ambassador Andrew Young. He was joined by his family members and some surprise guests, including Atlanta’s other living, former mayors – Keisha Lance-Bottoms, Kasim Reed, Shirley Franklin, and Bill Campbell. The tribute brought Ambassador Young to tears. At the unveiling ceremony, he emotionally expressed, “There’s been very little that can be said about any place on this planet that has done more for more people than we have done together here in Atlanta.”

Photo courtesy: Fulton County.

Photo courtesy: Fulton County.

A Symbolic Mural on the Atlanta Beltline:

Located on an underpass along the Atlanta Beltline near 725 Rice Street, the newly unveiled mural serves as a symbol of environmental consciousness and community engagement. In addition to honoring Ambassador Andrew Young, the mural incorporates Earth Day messaging of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” in high traffic areas along the Beltline, intended for commuters and those walking to and from school. Those messages include “it takes a team to make the Earth clean” and “we only have one Planet Earth.” FCYC hopes the mural will inspire residents and visitors to embrace sustainable practices and make a positive impact on the environment.

Reginald Crossley, Fulton County Youth Commission Coordinator, described the importance of the mural, stating, “Through the murals, our youth want to make a positive impact in the community. Our positive affirmations will encourage the community to become more environmentally conscious.” 

An artist adds the final touches to the mural. Photo courtesy: Fulton County.

A Commitment to Supporting Local Communities:

Global Paint for Charity was more than happy to provide the 2,300 pounds of paint needed to complete the project. The partnership between GPC and the Fulton County Government demonstrates the power of collaboration and the impact of art in promoting environmental awareness. The mural’s dedication to Ambassador Andrew Young and its incorporation of Earth Day messaging along the Atlanta Beltline serve as reminders of the importance of sustainability and community engagement. This project not only highlights the positive impacts of the Fulton County Youth Commission’s efforts, but also showcases the transformative power of art and collective action in fostering environmental consciousness.

Global Paint for Charity has a long history of donating recycled paint to beautify the local community as well as communities abroad. Approximately 70% of the paint collected by GPC is shipped overseas to communities in need, while 30% is distributed to local artists, nonprofits and governments for community projects and murals. That amounts to about 1.5 million pounds of paint going to revitalize local communities. Some examples include a donation of 7,700 lbs. of paint to renovate The King Center in Atlanta in 2019 and the beautification of homes in Atlanta’s Westside, including the Empire Board of Realtists, the oldest minority-owned professional real estate trade association in the United States. GPC even provided paint for urban beautification projects in Atlanta leading up to Super Bowl LIII in partnership with the NFL and Super Bowl Host Committee.  

We can only do important work like this with your support. If you want to help Global Paint for Charity’s mission of protecting the environment while assisting underserved communities around the globe, contact Global Paint at 855-853-7772 or at info@globalpaints.org or help fund our important work by donating here.