BLACKSTONIAN EXCLUSIVE!
As the Blackstonian Family knows we have been working on the idea of a Bill Russell Statue for some time now. Most recently, after the issue came up in the news again after an article calling for the long-deserved statue to happen, we began flying the idea around several key people. I spoke with Boston City Councillor Ayanna Pressley who just this week authored a Resolution (click for article) along with City Councillor John Connolly.
I spoke with Boston Athletics Godfather Charlie Titus who got us in touch with Bill Russell’s camp. At the time, before Bill Russell’s Birthday on Feb. 12th (conveniently in Black History Month) we were alerted that Mr. Russell was soon to travel to DC to receive an award from President Obama. On Feb. 15th, the world watched the iconic scene of President Barack Obama placing the Presidential Medal of Freedom (US highest civilian honor) around the neck of our beloved Bill Russell. Pres. Obama called for a statue in Boston and the wheels started turning… media across the country picked up the story, Mayor Menino jumped on board, Gov. Patrick jumped on board, Boston Celtics jumped on board and the fans have always known the right thing to do (in this case).
The Blackstonian now focuses attention on who will build this statue? Well, considering the circumstances and the history, what if I told you we had a local artist, and that they were from the community, and that SHE is a Black Woman and world reknown to get down? Are you on board?
THE ONLY AND THE BEST ARTIST SUITED TO DO THE BILL RUSSELL STATUE IS…
FERN CUNNINGHAM.
Basic Black Feature on Fern Cunningham here
