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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
By WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio4.7
5858 ratings
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

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