“The Home that Inspired the World”, a Collection of Murals Celebrating 75 Years of The Bronx River Houses and its Contributions to Hip Hop

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
The collection of three murals celebrates Bronx River S rich
history and legacy as a culturalincubator for generations.
The project is part of the PHCFSFrom Roots to Arts program, a
citywide initiative uplifting resident voices and local
artists through creative placemaking, the Public Housing

(00:20):
Community Fund, PHCF, New York City Housing Authority, Nika
Bronx and world renowned artist Mark Lawrence.
The TATS Crew and Resident Association President Norma
Saunders were joined by residents yesterday to cut the
ribbon on a collection of muralscelebrating the 75th anniversary
and the contributions to Hip hopmade at the Bronx River Houses.

(00:44):
The event included remarks from the partners and artists, a
special appearance from members of the world famous American
girl group The Chiffons, and catered food for residents.
These permanent installations, titled The Home That Inspired
the World, were created by Lawrence and the Tats Crew to
celebrate the complex's rich history and its indelible legacy

(01:07):
as a cultural incubator for generations.
The project is part of the PHCFSFrom Roots to Arts program, a
citywide initiative uplifting resident voices and local
artists through creative placemaking.
The program is funded by the Mellon Foundation.
The three murals offer a dual narrative reflecting the Bronx

(01:29):
River Houses spirit. The murals on the front of the
Community Center are an emotive homage to the heart of the
complex, featuring portraits of the elders who built the
foundation, the youth who carry its future, and famous figures
who hail from Bronx River Houses.
Conveying a powerful sense of unity and legacy, the back mural

(01:51):
is a dynamic celebration of the complex S global impact on
music. Executed in an authentic
graffiti style, this piece incorporates the five
foundational elements of Hip Hop, M Sing, DJ ING, break
dancing, beatboxing and graffitias part of PHCFS From Roots to

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Arts program. The Bronx River Mural joins a
series of new public art installations and programming
being created in NICCA communities across all 5
boroughs, each one celebrating the resilience, talent and
cultural impact of public housing residents.
Mark Lawrence, who has travelledthe globe with his talents and

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witnessed the Bronx River housesprofound influence on the world,
returned home with a mission to give back to the community that
raised him. His personal connection to the
complex runs deep, his family were pioneers in the development
and his artistic journey began right here under the guidance of
his mother, Sylvia Lawrence, hisfirst mentor, teacher and

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enduring inspiration. It was Sylvia who instilled in
him not only the fundamentals ofreading and writing, but an
appreciation for oil painting, watercolor, acrylics and music.
To fully realize the vision of the back mural, Mark Lawrence
brought in the world famous Bronx graffiti crew, TATS Crew

(03:17):
including Sottero, BG 183, Ortiz, Wilfredo Bio Feliciano
and Hector Nyser Nazario. In addition to being lifelong
friends of Mr. Lawrence. This collaboration is
particularly significant as TATScrew are all Bronx natives, with
Bio having been raised in the complex and BG 183 holding the

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distinction of being the first artist to paint the interior of
the complex S Community Center in the early 1980s.
This full circle moment brings Mark Lawrence back to his roots,
reuniting him with his childhoodfriend and fellow Bronx River
Houses native Norma Saunders, who now serves as the Tenant
Association President. Mr. Lawrence fondly credits the

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influential environment of the Bronx River Houses for shaping
his life and inspiring his journey.
His return underscores A commitment to giving back to the
community that instilled in him the determination to achieve
greatness. About the Public Housing
Community Fund The Public Housing Community Fund is an
independent, not-for-profit organization that creates and

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leverages resources and relationships to enhance the
opportunities and quality of life for New York City Housing
Authority NICCOR residents and their communities, while
uplifting the importance of public housing in New York City.
www.communityfund.nyc. About the New York City Housing
Authority Nika The New York CityHousing Authority NIKA, the

(04:50):
largest public Housing Authorityin North America, was created in
1934 to provide decent, affordable housing for low and
moderate income New Yorkers. Nika is home to one in 17 New
Yorkers providing affordable housing to 520,808 authorized

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residents through public housingand Permanent affordability
commitment together packed programs, as well as Section 8
housing. Nikka has 177,569 apartments in
2411 buildings across 335 conventional public housing and

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packed developments. In addition, Nika connects
residents to critical programs and services from external and
internal partners with a focus on economic opportunity, youth,
seniors and social services. With a housing stock that spans
all 5 boroughs, Nika is a city within a city.