‘It’s more than just defacing me’

Black firefighter speaks out after face replaced on mural

BOYNTON BEACH – An influential black firefighter is demanding a full investigation into how her face was replaced with a white face on a public arts mural in Boynton Beach mural.

“I feel like I am the community and the community is me, and to have the white-washing of my face on that mural, it’s more than just defacing me,” Clemons said Wednesday.

Clemons, the city’s first black female firefighter, and former fire chief Glenn Joseph, the first black firefighter in Boca Raton’s fire department, were supposed to be represented in a mural approved by the Boynton arts commission.

When the mural was unveiled at the fire station south of Gateway Boulevard and west of Interstate 95, their faces had been replaced with white faces.

The mural was removed the following day. The Boynton Beach Arts Commis

sion voted June 11 to re-install the original mural it had approved in November.

The city hasn’t released a date for the re-installation.

Clemons said she hopes the mural will inspire black children when they see faces like theirs.

Clemons and her attorney Nicole Hunt Jackson said the city should thoroughly investigate how the mural was able to be installed in the first place.

“I want [the community] to know we are bigger than our circumstances and that our voices will be heard,” Clemons said.

City manager Lori Laverriere has said the decision to alter the photograph was the result of “inappropriate decisions made by City employees.”

She removed two people from their positions: Public Arts Manager Debby ColesDobay and Fire Rescue

Chief Matthew Perry, who subsequently resigned.

Clemons thanked the community, many of whom had contacted her and used social media to show their support for her contributions to the community after over 20 years at Boynton Beach Fire Rescue.

“I’m humbled and grateful for all of their support. Sometimes when you’re walking in the trenches, you can feel alone,” Clemons said.