The Unified Civic Monuments Project has raised over 60% of the necessary $850,000 to design and install two companion monuments to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. Today the group announced its intention to complete the project in June 2024.
Each city’s monument site and design are approved and reflect input from community members and municipal leaders.
The project is the culmination of an idea 15 years in the making of the founders of the African American History and Literature Gallery in Benton Harbor, Mack and Sharon Brown.
Mack Brown said, “This will be a source of benefit to the entire community.”
“Please, do not let this moment pass by – we want all to come be a part of it. Donations are critical to keeping our momentum!” Sharon Brown added.
The monuments will be the country’s only collaborative, twin cities’ public art project commemorating Dr. King. More information and an online donation portal can be found at unifiedmonuments.org
The Benton Harbor Monument
Dr. King will welcome visitors and residents to the City of Benton Harbor at the entrance to Dwight Pete Mitchell City Center Park, facing Main Street. His life-sized figure will preside over a table, arms outstretched, encouraging all to join the conversation about social justice. The concept is “At the Table of Brotherhood,” and the design includes a second figure of a young Black boy pushing a chair up to the table.
The design for the Benton Harbor monument was approved by the city commission in December 2022.
The St. Joseph Monument
The St. Joseph site – just 1.5 miles from the Benton Harbor monument – is at the west end of Margaret B. Upton Arboretum. Dr. King will look toward Benton Harbor from atop a small hill along the St. Joseph River.
Dr. King’s hand rests on the shoulders of a little Black girl. A white girl releases doves toward Benton Harbor. She represents the hope for a peaceful and joyful future between the two towns. The installation will acknowledge the challenges of our history and remind us of the power of unity.
The design for the St. Joseph monument was approved on March 28 by the city commission.
The group has secured a $250,000 challenge grant from Whirlpool Foundation. Other donors have included AEP Foundation, Meijer Stores, United Federal Credit Union, St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotary Club Foundation, Frederick Upton Foundation, Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council, Berrien Community Foundation, and Corewell Health. The project must be funded in the coming months in order to complete the installation by June 2024.
After the monuments are installed, the group will continue programming, including other art projects, local history, and curriculum for local schools. Fundraising is ongoing for those efforts.
Unified Civic Monument Project
The Unified Civic Monuments Project is led by the founders of the African American History & Literature Gallery, with the support of Krasl Art Center, Lake Michigan College, Berrien Community Foundation, the BH-SJ Arts & Culture Social Justice Group, and the cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. More information can be found at unifiedmonuments.org
Benton Harbor-St. Joseph Arts & Culture Social Justice Group
The Benton Harbor – St. Joseph Arts & Culture Social Justice Group stands in solidarity with community-wide efforts supporting, advocating and promoting social justice within the cities of Benton Harbor & St. Joseph, Michigan. It is our commitment as cultural institutions and individuals to utilize our unique resources to support this work – this may include special programs, space use, materials and expertise.
We interpret social justice to mean that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social justice rights and opportunities.
Committee Co-Chairs:
Mayor Laura Goos, St. Joseph
Commissioner Edward Isom, Benton Harbor