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Artist Broderick Poole showcases his artistry by shining light on prominent Black leaders through jacket patchwork.

The patchwork features images of African American activists and leaders in the community. Their achievements will be taught to a small class. Positive community personalities that appeal to youth like Maya Moore, Stacey Abrams and Colin Kaepernick and other patchwork that will symbolize Black greatness will be included in the design. The jacket will have style and at the same time educate with the patches.

About the Artist

Broderick Poole is a Twin Cities-based visual artist who specializes in creating multiple forms of custom handcrafted art. He's been creating artwork for over twenty-five years and for the past several years has been teaching the youth in the neighborhood he grew up in.

In his work, Broderick merges his acrylic painting and drawing skills with his graphic design degree. Learning screen printing and sewing before the age of 18 introduced another element, extending the range of his talent in his fashion line, Vintage Poole Boy where he creates artwork that educates and inspires the culture.

About the Organization

Broderick's Custom Heritage/Truce Center Jacket was created in partnership with In Black Ink. In Black Ink provides publishing arts opportunities to African heritage communities that have been historically disenfranchised, and continue to experience exclusion. IBI’s programming mitigates economic, educational and cultural inequities.

“ Growing up, [art] was a big way for me to express myself. I guess I was real quiet, I didn’t talk as much as a kid, so it was a big way for me to get my thoughts and stuff out there.”

Broderick Poole

Art In This Present Moment

This project is part of Art in This Present Moment, an initiative of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, with funding from the McKnight Foundation. We provided grants to three Minnesota-based nonprofit organizations to fund work by six BIPOC artists who are changing and challenging dominant narratives through their craft.

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