Say It Loud Mural

COLLABORATIVE MURAL

The Uptown Sound is a mural that honors the legacy of the Uptown Theatre in North Philadelphia and its role in the Chitlin’ Circuit, a network of venues that supported Black performers during segregation and helped shape American music and culture. Over 60 students helped design and paint the mural while exploring Philadelphia’s musical impact and how it continues to shape contemporary culture today. Inspired by James Brown’s iconic phrase “Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud,” students chose to center education by transforming the message into “Say it loud, I’m smart and I’m proud.” The mural lives on the campus of ICS West Charter School and was supported by the City of Philadelphia’s Rec Philly Black Music City Grant and Mural Arts Philadelphia.