BATON ROUGE - From legendary figures at LSU to everyday moments along South 14th Street, vibrant murals across Baton Rouge are turning walls and public spaces into powerful history lessons.

The Walls Project, a Baton Rouge-based nonprofit, is using public art to help with blight and highlight history. During Black History Month, that mission takes on even deeper meaning.

"We are highlighting the cultural and historic legacy of Louisiana, which we all know is a territory older than the nation itself," said Morgan Udon with The Walls Project.

One featured mural is located inside LSU's College of Art and Design. It honors Julien T. White, recognized as LSU's first African American professor. The piece highlights his role in advancing integration and educational leadership at the university. The mural also includes the faces of those who followed in his footsteps, symbolizing a broader legacy of progress.

"Public art is the background from which we lead our lives. It's the background of our history. It's a means of cultural preservation," Udon said.

There are now hundreds of educational murals across the capital region, each tied to local history, culture, and the Baton Rouge community.

Two new murals are in the works that will focus on African American history in Louisiana. Instead of traditional wall spaces, these will appear on utility boxes along the Greenway Trail in downtown Baton Rouge.

Organizers say the installations are part of a new Civil Rights Trail initiative.

"We will be unveiling the Civil Rights Trail that speaks toward pioneers like Julien T. White and their innovation and leadership in Black history and their resilience," a project spokesperson said.

The official unveiling of the new murals is scheduled for February 20.