KINSTON, N.C. — A group of artists is working on a community mural that will help showcase minority contributions in the city of Kinston. The mural is part of the Downtown Kinston Mural Program and is the last of seven murals to be completed by the community.

The Hannibal Legacy Wall was designed by Choci Gray and honors the lives of John and Alice Hannibal. John was a well known black physician in Kinston, and his wife was the first black city council member.

Pastor Robert Koonce is the co-founder of New Hope Church Ministries, the organization that owns the building where the mural is located. He was on the mural selection committee.

“At the end of the day, when you go through life it really is not that important how much you gain,” Koonce says. “I think the emphasis is what are you going to leave behind. And we all have the opportunity to leave something a little better.”

He hopes this mural will help bring unity and historical appreciation to the residents of Kinston. The idea for this mural has been in the works for three years. After making it through the design and selection process, the painting began a few weeks ago. It should be finished by the end of the month.