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What’s With the #KindComments Mural That Popped Up at Union Market?!

Recently, Instagram unveiled a colorful #KindComments mural at Union Market.

Designed by renowned artist Dallas Clayton, the mural is part of Instagram’s global #KindComments initiative intended to promote and foster positive engagement on and offline.  Clayton invited KIPP High School students and Union Market District neighbors as well as local artists to paint along the 6th Street mural.

The mural at Union Market was painted and revealed on National Day of the Girl, a youth-led movement for gender justice and youth activism.

Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA), Instagram Chief Operating Officer Marne Levine, DC Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, and artist Dallas Clayton spoke to teen entrepreneurs,  and businesses owners. Grammy award-winning singer Jewel was also in attendance, alongside Brainfood, a Union Market vendor, and Build Metro DC, two DC organizations that mentor and foster teen entrepreneurship.

At the unveiling, Instagram committed to pairing young entrepreneurs with established small businesses in the same field, with the purpose to mentor the teens on their business journeys on and off Instagram:

  • Julia, a 17-year-old artist in the D.C. area who goes by Kimchi Juice (@kimchijuicexyz), and is known for her “Cute Animals Flipping the Bird” series as well as Kimchi Juicebox (@kimchijuicebox), which features cute animals on murals, tees, and accessories, will be paired with small business mentor Isa Beniston (@gentlethrills), a Los Angeles-based artist known for wearable drawings and dynamic stationery.
  • D.C.-based high school senior Olivia Trice started a custom crochet wear company, Stitched by Liv (@stitchedbyliv) and is also the D.C. ambassador for @girlpowermeetups. She will be paired with small business mentor Shadé Akanbi of @printedpatternpeople, a Brooklyn clothing line.

“Nothing better than a partnership with Instagram, emerging businesses and a Dallas Clayton mural to celebrate community and kindness,” said Union Market Director of Strategy Jennifer Maguire Isham. “Everybody has to come enjoy it and think about its message… #IRL [in real life].”

This retail and culinary district will be the local stop on a four city #KindComments tour of the United States.#KindComments murals will also go up in New York, Dallas, Chicago, Mexico City, Jakarta, Ottawa, Tokyo, Sao Paolo, Brasilia and Mumbai.