Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Street Art for Mankind Unveil “Starry Crown” Mural Honoring Artist John Biggers and the Houston Area Women’s Center

Houston, TX | June, 30, 2025

Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, alongside Street Art for Mankind (SAM) and the Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC), officially unveiled a powerful new mural titled “Starry Crown”, a tribute to the legacy of the late artist Dr. John Biggers and the transformative work of HAWC.

The mural, which spans the exterior wall of the Commissioner’s Administrative & Community Center, faces a HAWC residential building—symbolically bridging art, healing, and advocacy. Painted by Nigerian-born muralist Bimbo Adenugba and curated by SAM, the artwork is a faithful recreation of Biggers’ original painting and serves as the 62nd installation in the global #LegaciesOfChange public art series.

“Starry Crown” honors HAWC’s decades of service to women, children, and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence. The mural portrays three regal figures—queens representing the ancient African civilizations of Egypt, Benin, and the Dogon people of Mali—reflecting the deep cultural themes central to Biggers’ work and legacy.

The unveiling drew community members, artists, and advocates together in celebration of Black cultural heritage and the power of public art to inspire social change.

The mural is part of SAM’s #LegaciesOfChange initiative, which uses large-scale street art to highlight stories of activism, equity, and justice around the world. With the addition of “Starry Crown,” Houston becomes the latest city to join this growing global conversation through art.