As the numerous paintbrushes stroked the once bare wall, students left their mark in room 117. Beginning Thursday, May 30,

students came together in Ruthie Walls’ AP African Studies classroom to paint a mural representing not only civil rights leaders

who paved the way for future generations but also the students on campus who lift each other up.

“The hands will represent the high school students as a group holding each other up no matter who they are because I don’t just teach all African American kids,” Walls said. “We’re very diverse here at Central, which I love.”

The mural is inspired by Muhammad Yungais’ mural in Atlanta, but Walls took a unique spin on the piece making it custom to her class by leaving the names off of the sleeves.

“As I thought about [our mural design] more, I decided that we are going represent the thousands of unknown African Americans that left an impact,” Walls said. “The ones whose names we might never know, but they still fought to make a difference.”

Walls said she hopes the mural’s blank cuffs inspire students to learn about all of the untold stories of figures in African American History, whose contributions were just as important. 

“[There’s] so many people in African American history the kids haven’t heard of because we’re not taught about them in the mainstream history curriculum,” Walls said. “I wanted the mural to capture their contributions just as much as the more well known leaders, because no one should go unheard.”

Shawna Shannon, English and Creative Writing teacher, became inspired by Walls’ situation last school year. (see linked stories)

Shannon remembered her past experience in mural painting as the sponsor of the school’s Beautification Club, and knew she needed to do something for Walls to note her contributions. 

“As Ms. Walls struggled with the lawsuit over AP African American Studies last year, I saw what she was doing: fighting for teachers and fighting for our students,” Shannon said. “I felt like she needed something in her classroom to honor what she’s doing in her fight.”

A significant number of students joined Walls in creating the mural, including senior Kayla Jimenez.

“I think the [Beautification Club] thrives on coming together to make something plain more beautiful,” Jimenez said. “I wanted to give back to the school in a way that not only made the school more beautiful, but also contributed to one of the greatest parts of history.”

Jimenez strives to be like what the hands on the mural represent, students lifting each other up, leaving an impact during her time at the school. 

“I think [the mural] is truly about uplifting students, specifically students from different areas of the world, ethnicities, religions, races. No matter who you are, you are supposed to be supported,” Jimenez said. “The mural really represents the ideas that stand in Central High School because we are like a big melting pot, and we need to continue helping each other stand up.”

Beginning in August of 2023, the controversy surrounding the course unfolded, when the Arkansas Department of Education removed the course’s AP credit. However, the Little Rock School District made the decision to grant credit for the course, just like other AP courses. 

“The state of Arkansas and the local Central Arkansas community have all come together, and I feel so supported. I want people to know that not all Arkansans are hateful because I’ve received nothing but support from the teachers and students here, PTSA, parents of my students, the FBI, and so many others from our community,” Walls said. “I don’t take that for granted, because not everybody has that, and in some communities teachers don’t have any support at all. They’re battling whatever they’re doing by themselves, but I have a whole community.” 

In Walls’ experience, she said the conflict has in ways united the community causing an unintentional consequence. 

“The conflict in a way served as a rallying cry for the Central kids. When I first got the news on that Friday, I thought the kids may leave when they found out that they would not get AP credit, but they didn’t leave. In fact, they stuck with me and went and told their friends. Initially I had 94 students when I started out last year, but then I gained way more. The day after the news was released, all the class spots were filled,” said Walls. “I think it was a wake up call for all of us. Instead of being divisive, it brought us together.” 

Walls feels certain the mural will impact future generations of students. 

“The mural means hope. I think of history, but I also think of the future– of what it could be. These people made so many strides for us all and a broad range of things have been done historically. I keep in mind that those things were won, these triumphs were made, and we can do it again today.”