On Thursday, July 24, at 10 a.m. City leaders and neighbors will gather at Cal Johnson Community Center to cut the ribbon on a new 45-foot-wide mural honoring the center’s namesake.

The mural, painted on the north wall of the gymnasium, pays tribute to Knoxville resident Cal Johnson, who was born enslaved and became the city’s first Black millionaire. 

The mural is the vision of father/son artists, Adam Henry “The Elder” and Adam Henry “The Younger.”

In February, the Public Arts Committee selected these former Knoxville residents to create the mural. While the artists are unable to attend the ribbon cutting, they are featured in this video produced by the City of Knoxville: 


There will be a brief program as part of the ribbon cutting. Everyone is invited.

The City of Knoxville ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services.

To request language translation services, contact the City’s Human Resources Department at [email protected] or 865-215-3100. For disability accommodations, contact City ADA Coordinator Stephanie Brewer Cook at [email protected] or 865-215-2034.