Mural Celebration at Young Woods Elementary School
On April 8, 2026 we were proud to celebrate a new mural honoring the legacy of three significant people in South Providence’s history: Sgt. Cornel Young, Jr., Charlotte Woods, and B. Jae Clanton.
Staff and faculty of the Sgt. Cornel Young, Jr. & Charlotte Woods Elementary School at the B. Jae Clanton Complex (Young Woods) had long dreamed of this mural that would inspire young people for generations to come. Since 2020 they’d fundraised for it, eventually partnering with ACT in order to help them find an artist working at the highest level of both muralism and community commitment. Together we crafted a call and held a process that resulted in hiring Providence muralist Kendel Joseph.
You can see the design brief given to all semifinalists here.
Kendel was officially awarded the contract in November of 2025, which is not an easy time of year to begin an outdoor mural of this scale. However, he and the school organized meetings with community stakeholders, including a school assembly where he introduced the artwork to the staff and students and a “meet the artist” video call with the families of the people represented in the mural, along with students and extended staff from the school. As Kendel said, after those December engagements, the school community “went on their school break, and I started prepping, priming, and painting the wall.”
Kendel painted throughout the holidays, despite dropping temperatures and all the typical needs that time of year brings up. His technique is spray paint and freehand — no stencils and no grid — and is something he’s worked on over years of practice. This mural is his largest to date.
On April 8 we were finally able to have a public celebration of this community collaboration, and the sheer amount of people there to celebrate were a testament to the project. Not only were there representatives of the school community and student leaders, but the Providence Police Department, Fire Department, PPSD leadership, Art, Culture and Tourism, local artists, and most significantly, family members of the people portrayed. Following heartfelt remarks, the crowd shared food, games, and a sunny spring evening together, basking in a mural that celebrates the best of Providence.
We are honored to play a part in this important piece and thank everyone who supported the work.