The following is the message painter Carole Byard sent to the June 23 celebration of the Pathfinder mural. It was read to the audience by Brian Taylor, the program's chairperson.

I started out on the mural doing a portrait of Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman. It was an honor to paint people who inspired me so much in my life. Also I got to work on the ground.

I met so many wonderful people from all over the world. I already knew Dumile Feni [who painted Nelson Mandela on the mural] but I got to know him better. He suggested that I do Malcolm.

I thought of what an important figure in world history Malcolm was. But when Sam [Manuel] asked me to do his portrait, I said I don't think I can. It was three stories up.

But then I realized I had to do it in spite of my fear of heights.

Once I was up on the scaffolding it was beautiful. I wasn't afraid. The problem then was that I'm only 5 ft. 3 in. tall and Malcolm's head was 9 feet. I stretched a lot. It was a wonderful, wonderful experience.

The mural has touched a lot of people from all over. When people come to visit me even now they'll say they stopped by the mural on the way. When it's time for the next mural, count me in.  
 
 
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