Civil Rights Icon Honored With Stunning New Bedford Mural

A new mural in New Bedford honors Dr. Jibreel Khazan, the civil rights icon who now calls the city home.

A Voice of Wisdom for WBSM

During my first hitch as a talk host at WBSM more than two decades ago, I looked forward to my nearly daily calls from Khazan. He brought enthusiasm and energy to every call, which contributed to the program. He is a talk host's dream caller.

Khazan's life's work has been celebrated worldwide, and soon his chosen hometown will dedicate a new tribute to him.

Khazan, who was born Ezell Alexander Blair Jr. on October 18, 1941, in Greensboro, North Carolina, would regularly share the wisdom instilled in him by his parents, Ezell Blair Sr., a teacher and civil rights leader, and Corine Lee (Williams) Blair.

"My mother would say, 'Junior,' 'cuz that's what she called me back then, 'Junior, you see,'" Khazan would often begin before launching into a lesson learned during a long, storied life full of personal and societal accomplishments.

From the Greensboro Four to New Bedford

Khazan is the lone survivor of the Greensboro Four, who on February 1, 1960, challenged the segregated lunch counter policies of the Greensboro, North Carolina, F.W. Woolworth's store. The protest led Khazan on a lifelong quest for social justice through education and public speaking.

New Mural Honors New Bedford Civil Rights Icon Dr. Jibreel Khazan

After being labeled a "troublemaker" by some in North Carolina, Khazan found a new home in New Bedford in 1965, where he has remained. In 1968, he joined the Islamic Center of New England, adopting the name Jibreel Khazan and later earning the honorific "Doctor."

New Bedford has embraced its adopted son, naming a park for Dr. Jibreel Khazan in the West End and hanging his portrait in the New Bedford Free Public Library on Pleasant Street.

New Mural Honors New Bedford Civil Rights Icon Dr. Jibreel Khazan

Designing a Three-Part Civil Rights Tribute

A three-part mural honoring Khazan was recently painted on the south-facing courtyard wall of New Bedford Community Health at 874 Purchase Street in the downtown.

Dena Haden, Director of the Co-Creative Center, said the project was originally commissioned by Senator Mark Montigny of New Bedford through the Children's Fund in 2019.

"Working closely with Sen. Montigny, the family identified three artists – Alison Wells, David Guadalupe, and Eden Soares – to each create an original work representing three defining facets of Jibreel's life: education, spirituality, and activism," Haden said.

The mural installation was led by Jeff Henriquez, a Lynn resident and Brooklyn native, and Guadalupe.

"The completed mural is intended as a tribute to Jibreel's enduring legacy and the profound impact he's had on the country and community," Haden said.

An official celebration of the mural, to coincide with Khazan's 85th birthday, will be held this fall.