Artist Statement

As an artist-activist, Charmaine Minniefield’s work preserves cultural histories of communities affected by gentrification by celebrating African-American women leaders. This image acknowledges the contribution of Carrie Steele, once born into slavery, then founder of what would become the Carrie Steele Pitts Home for Children. Minniefield honors the work of this Atlanta matriarch by depicting a toddler, signifying the contribution of Steele to the fabric of the city as the first orphanage for children of color, placing generations of children in loving homes even still today.