A Mural Honoring the legacy of
Henrietta Lacks
800 N. Washington St.
Baltimore, MD
The Mural at 800 N. Washington St.
Positioned at the intersection of East Baltimore and the Johns Hopkins medical campus, the wall is both a marker and a mirror. It greets thousands of visitors driving into the city each day, ensuring that Henrietta’s legacy—and the resilience of this neighborhood—cannot be overlooked.
The Mural at 800 N. Washington St.
Positioned at the intersection of East Baltimore and the Johns Hopkins medical campus, the wall is both a marker and a mirror. It greets thousands of visitors driving into the city each day, ensuring that Henrietta’s legacy—and the resilience of this neighborhood—cannot be overlooked.
The Mural at 800 N. Washington St.
Positioned at the intersection of East Baltimore and the Johns Hopkins medical campus, the wall is both a marker and a mirror. It greets thousands of visitors driving into the city each day, ensuring that Henrietta’s legacy—and the resilience of this neighborhood—cannot be overlooked.
The Process
Open Call
The project began with an open call, drawing over 50 artist submissions.
Finalists Selected
Six artists were chosen based on their vision, storytelling, and connection to community.
Community Collaboration
Finalists met with the Lacks family and local voices to shape a more meaningful narrative.
Community Choice
Residents reviewed anonymous concepts, selecting both the final design and the artist to bring it to life.
Collective Creation
Neighbors came together to paint the mural, turning the vision into a shared, living legacy.
A True Community Effort
Unveiling Ceremony
About Henrietta Lacks
Henrietta Lacks was born Loretta Pleasant on August 1, 1920, in Roanoke, Virginia, to Eliza and Johnny Pleasant. After her mother died giving birth to her tenth child, fouryear- old Henrietta—known affectionately as “Hennie”—was raised by relatives in Clover, Virginia.
Henrietta was remembered for her warmth, generosity, and love of cooking, music, and dancing. She died on October 4, 1951 of cervical cancer, at the age of 31, leaving behind her husband and five children. Though her life was cut short, Henrietta’s story and legacy continue to inspire generations.
Timeline of a Legacy
About The Artist
The mural process began with an open call that drew more than 50 submissions. In partnership with the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), criteria were carefully developed to guide the selection — prioritizing female-identifying artists, particularly those whose lives had been touched by illnesses connected to Henrietta’s HeLa cells.
Shawn Perkins was unanimously selected as the finalist. His design stood out for its storytelling depth and his long-standing commitment to community work — making him the artist to bring this vision to life.
Partners & Sponsors
