Work is underway on Legendary Syracuse Firsts' downtown six-story mural painting at 333 East Onondaga St.

The mural pays tribute to racial and social justice pioneers Earl Lloyd, Manny Breland, Dolph Schayes and Breanna Stewart.

“It’s really an honor to be able to come out to Syracuse and be able to paint here," Jonas Never of Los Angeles, California, said. "Anytime someone is willing to give me a wall is really kind of a blessing in that I get to see it for a week, a month, however long it takes. I get to see it for as long as the building is here, usually so the fact that they trust me with their property and trust me with their ideas and concepts and let me do something big in their city is huge.”

Never has been painting murals since 2006.

“You see websites and Instagram pages dedicated to murals in the city and their street-art tours. It just gives another element to the city,” he said.

The mural is honoring four athlete-activists with ties to Syracuse who’ve battled with issues from racism to antisemitism, sexism and homophobia.

“They really broke ground in each of their respective leagues or their situations,” Never said.

Lloyd was the first African American to play a game in the NBA.

Breland was the first African American man to be offered a scholarship to play basketball at Syracuse University.

Schayes is one of the first Jewish superstars in professional sports in the U.S.

Stewart was the first woman to earn four NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors.

“The day I started this mural was the second anniversary of the George Floyd situation. Watching the protestors walk up and down the street was really crazy to see in the best way possible, how people are still fighting for change and fighting to progress. I’m honored to be a part of it,” Never said.

He said he chose to paint the mural black and white to keep it timeless.

“I didn’t want it to look dated in a few years. I wanted people who haven’t been to Syracuse in awhile, or who have never been or going to a game at whatever the Carrier Dome is called now, to see it and not know if it was painted in 2022 or 20 years ago, 40 years ago, 50 years ago,” Never said.

He said it’s more than just painting a wall. It’s about immersing himself into the city, engaging with community members and leaving a mark.

“It makes it a better experience for me and the people I meet,” he said.

The mural is expected to be completed in time for this year’s opening of the Syracuse Jazz Fest on June 23.