The City of Miami, in partnership with URGENT, Inc., City of Miami Parks & Recreation Department, the Omni Community Redevelopment Agency (Omni CRA), Miami Marlins, and other community partners, will host the Dorsey Park Mural Restoration & Renewal Project Kick-Off on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at Historic Dorsey Park.

In early June 2025, murals at Dorsey Park commemorating baseball legends Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso were defaced with racist and anti-Semitic graffiti. Dorsey Park, named after Miami’s first Black millionaire and once home to Negro League teams such as the Ethiopian Clowns, holds historical significance for Miami and the Black community. The vandalism, discovered by a young child, struck at the heart of Overtown’s proud legacy and was immediately identified and treated as a hate crime by the City of Miami Police Department. The murals, created in 2012 by contributing artists including Kadir Nelson and Alex Douyon, in partnership with the Marlins and URGENT, Inc., served as remarkable symbols of cultural pride and reverence. Community and advocacy organizations rallied swiftly to condemn the act and organized restoration efforts. Their voices underscored that hate would not overshadow the message of agency, determination, and legacy embodied in the murals. On July 24, 2025, the City of Miami Commission approved an allocation of $217,500 in funding by the Omni CRA to restore and reimagine the murals. City of Miami Chairwoman and District Five Commissioner Christine King, who sponsored the measure, emphasized the effort as a reaffirmation of the unity and resilience of our community. The restoration initiative is being managed by URGENT, Inc.. It will include a community arts residency component that will engage established and aspiring artists, as well as intentional collaboration efforts with residents to ensure the renewed work honors the past while inspiring the future. Event highlights include remarks from the City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, City of Miami Chairwoman and District Five Commissioner Christine King, City of Miami Parks & Recreation Interim Director LaCleveia Morley, the Omni CRA Executive Director Isiaa Jones, URGENT, Inc. CEO Saliha Nelson, Miami Marlins President of Business Caroline O’Connor, Marlins Legend and 1997 World Series Champion Charles Johnson, and lead artist Alex Douyon. Community members will have the opportunity to meet the artists, learn about the restoration process, discover ways in which they may participate, and understand how this work will continue to celebrate the rich history of Negro League Baseball.

4:00 – 4:15 PM | Community Networking & Welcome Gathering

4:15 – 4:20 PM | Opening Remarks & Acknowledgements

4:20 – 4:30 PM | Remarks from City Leadership

4:35 – 4:45 PM | Partner Acknowledgements

4:45 – 4:50 PM | Artistic Vision & Restoration Plan

4:50 – 5:05 Photo Opportunity

5:00 – 5:30 PM | Community Engagement & Closing