DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) – Several community organizations unveiled a new mural highlighting Black history in Davenport Wednesday.

The mural captures moments of time in Davenport, including the first Black student graduating after segregation ended and the first Black-owned business opening in the city.

“The opportunity to have this history free and approachable for anyone, whether you’re a citizen or visitor, that you can see this and become curious about the history that resides here in Davenport,” Ryan Saddler, the CEO of the Friends of MLK, said about the mural.\

Leaders with the Downtown Davenport Partnership said it’s important to put this history on display.

“It sets the stage for long term appreciation and storytelling about the totality of our communities’ history,” Kyle Carter the Executive Director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership. “We talk a lot about bits and pieces of our community history this fills in some very big blanks.”

Speakers also shared stories about the significance of Black history spanning hundreds of years across the country. The mural includes some of the leaders, local students, music and businesses in that history.

Cbabi Bayoc, a nationally recognized artist and muralist, painted the mural which is in the 500 block of Brady Street.