Historic Adkin Walk-Out mural relocated to Kinston Arts Council
Photo: Adkins walk-out mural relocation. Kristy Kelly, Neuse News
The Adkin Walk-Out mural, an eight-panel artwork commemorating the 1951 Adkin High School student protest, has been relocated to the Community Council for the Arts of Kinston, the city announced. The mural was previously displayed on the Lenoir County Administration Building.
Created by local artists Jamil Burton and Maximillian Mozingo, the mural tells the story of approximately 700 to 720 Adkin High School students who walked out in 1951 to demand better educational facilities. At the time, Adkin High School, a segregated institution, faced inadequate resources, including a single microscope and a burned-down gymnasium.
Photo credit: Supporters of Kinston-Lenoir NAACP Facebook page
The eight panels collectively depict key themes and moments of the walkout. Previously located on the side of the Lenoir County Register of Deeds building at the corner of Queen and Caswell Streets, the panels were arranged in reverse chronological order when viewed from east to west. The first panel, “One Voice,” symbolizes the lasting impact of the students' actions. Subsequent panels include “Grace,” “We the People,” Carolyn Coefield (who lost her red purse during the event), “Victory,” “Carver,” “Who Sent You?,” and “The March.”
The mural was created in collaboration with the Adkin High School Alumni Board, the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners, and the City of Kinston Mural Committee. The Downtown Kinston Mural project, which includes the Adkin Walk-Out mural, was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts’ Our Town program.
Photo credit: Supporters of Kinston-Lenoir NAACP Facebook page
A public mural showcase, featuring light refreshments, was recently held at the Community Council for the Arts, located at 400 N Queen Street in Kinston. This event offered community members an opportunity to view the reinstalled mural.
Mozingo, one of the artists, described the murals as “a way to preserve heritage” and educate younger generations about the historical fight for civil rights. He emphasized that the students’ desire for equal treatment and better educational opportunities was rooted in a sense of fairness, stating, “There’s no malice behind wanting to have better education.”
Artist Max Mozingo and Shyla Sutton. Photo credit: Supporters of Kinston-Lenoir NAACP Facebook page
While the murals are now displayed at the Arts Center, artist Jamil Burton expressed frustration with how the project was handled. In a social media post, Burton stated he was “deeply disappointed in the county and city’s handling” of the mural after it was removed from the Lenoir County Administration Building. He claimed the mural was “mishandled, damaged, and treated with disregard” during storage.
Elizabeth Blount, Kinston city planning director, praised the durability of the artwork despite the challenges of outdoor installation, stating:
"These pieces were originally outside, subject to all of the elements — rain, sleet, snow — removed off the building. Beyond all of that, they still look good. That speaks to the skills of these artists. Both artists take pride in their work. However, due to time constraints, they were unable to touch up their work."
The Arts Council has committed to hosting the mural for one year, allowing the public to appreciate the artwork.
“Although frustrated with the handling of the mural, I am pleased to see it will have a new life and a new home,” said Burton. “To visually tell the story of these brave American heroes is an honor.”
Photo credit: City of Kinston Facebook page
The relocation and installation of the mural were led by Blount, and her small but mighty team. Their efforts involved preparing the panels and ensuring the mural was displayed cohesively at the Arts Center. Support also came from the Parks and Recreation department and the Arts Council.
“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Kinston Arts Council and Elizabeth Blount and her dedicated team for their support in bringing the story of the Adkin Walkout back into focus,” said Mozingo. “Their commitment to preserving and showcasing this powerful history ensures that its impact continues to inspire generations to come. It was a great pleasure to showcase my talent in the creation of these murals. I was deeply inspired by the courage of the Adkin students.”
The mural serves as both a historical reminder and a celebration of the students’ courage and perseverance in the pursuit of educational equity.
Neuse News is a locally-owned small business startup in downtown Kinston. Our goal is to provide free, hyper-local news to Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties. The kind of news our grandparents read in a format fit for today's times.
We provide this by having supportive advertisers and we encourage you to click on their ads, shop with them, and eat with them. Every bit of financial support is important to help us sustain free, hyper-local news.
Please consider supporting Neuse News with as little as $5 one-time or via a monthly option. Every little bit helps us, help you.
