Metro officials, artists and community unveil mural honoring Z. Alexander Looby at Luby Center

Metro Nashville officials, artists and residents gathered Oct. 12, 2025, at the Z. Alexander Luby Community Center in North Nashville to unveil a new mural honoring civil-rights lawyer Z. Alexander Looby.

The mural, titled They Fought: Leaders, Lawyers and Educators, was created by nonprofit Creative Girls Rock and lead artist Alicia Mirozick with community input gathered through town-hall sessions and a participatory budgeting vote run by the mayor's office. Metro leaders and the artists described the piece as a memorial and an educational tool aimed at making local history more visible.

"We are so excited about today's event," said Brenda Haywood, who opened the program. "Just your presence here today tells us that this is an important event." Haywood introduced Mayor Freddie O'Connell and other speakers and repeatedly framed the mural as both a tribute and a community-building project.

Mayor Freddie O'Connell said the mural helps preserve stories that otherwise fade. "Some stories do wind up getting stronger because they pick up new meaning connecting to the events…