A ribbon cutting for “Heroes at Home and Abroad: African Americans in the Military during the Golden Blocks Era, 1898–1945” by local artist Theron Cartwright will be Nov. 13.
The mural honors the service and dedication of African Americans in the military with ties to Augusta from 1898-1945 and highlights their courage, resilience, and the enduring impact of their contributions on Augusta’s history, according to a news release.
The new mural is part of ongoing series celebrating Augusta’s African American heritage in the historic Laney-Walker and Bethlehem neighborhoods. Conceived by the Lucy Craft Laney Museum and the Committee for the Golden Blocks, several murals have already been added to the neighborhood.
Other murals have highlighted the accomplishments of educators, performing artists and other community leaders.
The project also received generous support through a product development grant from Destination Augusta. Representatives from the Greater Augusta Arts Council, the City of Augusta, and property owner Denzel Robinson worked closely with the project committee to bring this vision to life, according to the release.
The event will be at 1134 Laney Walker Blvd from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The ribbon-cutting and community presentation will include remarks from local leaders, family members of those commemorated, the artist Theron Cartwright. The Lucy Craft Laney High School JROTC Color Guard will take part in the event.
This is the second Golden Blocks mural Cartwright has completed this year. His “Golden Blocks: A Community Built on the Shoulders of Giants,” featured performers, Jessye Norman and James Brown, author Frank Yerby as well as community leaders Silas X. Floyd and he Rev. C.T. Walker was dedicated March 7.
Other Golden Blocks murals include one by Xavier Jones near the Laney-Walker and James Brown Boulevard intersections, one on the Wallace Branch Library on Laney Walker with a map of the area and one on the former Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Co.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here..
