Artist Honors Victims of Racially Motivated Shooting with Powerful Portraits
In a heartfelt tribute to the victims of a racially motivated shooting at a Dollar General store, artist Jodesha Baldwin has created powerful portraits to honor their memory. Baldwin explains that she felt a calling from God to paint these portraits, and she didn’t hesitate to fulfill that purpose.
Presenting the portraits to the grieving family members on Sunday was an emotionally challenging task for Baldwin. She expressed her intention to bring the victims home, symbolically if not physically, by allowing their loved ones to see their faces and know that they were remembered. Baldwin’s hope is that the portraits will bring closure and hold deep meaning for the families who are grieving.
For Baldwin, this artistic endeavor goes beyond money, cards, or temporary gestures of support. It is an act of love and a reminder for people passing by or scrolling through social media to pause and reflect on the lives lost in the tragic incident.
The three victims were 29-year-old Jerrald Gallion, described by his family as a loving and devoted father; 19-year-old A.J. Laguerre, a recent high school graduate with dreams of becoming a professional video game streamer; and 52-year-old Angela Carr, a caring mother and provider who was the first to be shot while sitting in her car outside the store.
The FBI has confirmed that these individuals were specifically targeted by the gunman due to their race, further highlighting the racially motivated nature of the attack.
Baldwin spent approximately four to five hours creating the portraits and then displayed them on Kings Road, allowing the community to see and appreciate her work. She first turned to painting as a coping mechanism after her own mother was murdered when she was just nine years old.
When asked what she hopes people will experience when viewing the portraits, Baldwin emphasized the importance of connecting with the faces and understanding who these individuals were at the time of the tragedy. Her motive is pure love, and she feels deeply connected to the families’ pain, shedding tears alongside them as they grieve.
As the community mourns the loss of these innocent lives, Baldwin’s tribute serves as a poignant reminder of the hate and injustice that still exist in society. Through her art, she aims to create awareness and provoke dialogue about the tragic consequences of racism.
