New Mural At Tate, Etienne, Prevost Center Center Vandalized Days After Unveiling

Within days of its unveiling, the mural was vandalized with black spray paint on two consecutive nights, beginning March 3.

In a disturbing act of vandalism, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is on the hunt for the individual or individuals responsible for a newly painted mural that was vandalized at the Tate, Etienne, Prevost Center (TEP) in the Lower 9th Ward.

The vandalization occurred over two nights with what appears to be the same person behind both incidents, according to WDSU News.

Established in 2021, the TEP Center holds a significant legacy, as it was founded by three of the four women who courageously desegregated schools in New Orleans as young girls. As part of the effort, renowned artist Brandon “B-Mike” Odums and youth from his nonprofit Eternal Seeds were commissioned to paint a mural depicting the three women in their youth and adulthood. But within days of its unveiling, the mural was vandalized with black spray paint on two consecutive nights, beginning March 3.

Dr. Leona Tate, one of the legendary “New Orleans Four,” expressed her dismay. “Why someone thought to write all over it already, I have no idea. It sends me the signal that either racism is still alive or someone has not been educated on what we do here.” She added, “These were children who painted this. It’s heartbreaking to them.”

However, she and her colleagues remain undeterred. “It’s fixable,” Tate said about the vandalized mural. “I’m praying it doesn’t happen again.”

On Feb. 26, the TEP Center took to Instagram and welcomed the NOLA community to stop by and visit the new exhibit. “Yesterday was nothing short of amazing!” it captioned a video of the mural and unveiling ceremony. The center expressed its gratitude to the artists for the “amazing exhibit, collaboration, and…astonishing mural!” The caption continued, “Please be sure to stop by and see this wonderful mural in person! The TEP Center is open!”

“TEP Center is here to educate audiences about the desegregation of public schools across New Orleans,” Tate explained to WDSU News. In 1960, at the tender age of 6, Tate, Tessie Prevost, and Gail Etienne braved racism and abuse to attend McDonogh 19, while Ruby Bridges simultaneously integrated William Frantz Elementary.

Remarkably, decades later, Tate, Prevost, and Etienne now own the very school they helped desegregate.

By the end of last week, B-Mike and the Eternal Seeds youth had restored the mural to its original splendor.

The NOPD has assigned a detective to investigate the case; anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 822-1111.