Walk through any urban neighborhood in America and you’ll see incredible works of art emblazoned across the walls of corner stores and schoolyards. What are the stories behind graffiti art and why is the tradition so honored?

Graffiti writing, one of the primary elements of hip hop culture, has been a sacred tradition practiced by many Black men for decades. Recently more than 50 influential aerosol artists from around the globe gathered in Oakland, CA to share their art, create brotherhood, and build community.

Hosted by the Joyce Gordon Gallery, the show featured work that showcased African cultural motifs, including ancient Khemetic symbols, the “sacred geometry” from slave quilts, and contemporary images from the Black Power Movement and the Golden Age of Hip Hop. These practitioners honor the best in black history and culture while passing on the tradition to the next generation.

To learn more about the Game Changers Project, please visit www.2025bmb.org/thegame