“The Home that Inspired the World”, a Collection of Murals Celebrating 75 Years of The Bronx River Houses and its Contributions to Hip Hop

Image Courtesy of Mark Lawrence, PHCF, NYCHA

The collection of three murals celebrates Bronx River’s rich history and legacy as a cultural incubator for generations

The project is part of the PHCF’s From Roots to Arts Program, a citywide initiative uplifting resident voices and local artists through creative placemaking

The Public Housing Community Fund (PHCF), New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), Bronx and world-renowned artist Mark Lawrence, the TATS CRU, and Resident Association President Norma Saunders were joined by residents yesterday to cut the ribbon on a collection of murals celebrating the 75th anniversary and the contributions to Hip Hop made at the Bronx River Houses. The event included remarks from the partners and artists, a special appearance from members of the world-famous American girl group, The Chiffons, and catered food for residents. 

These permanent installations, titled “The Home That Inspired The World”, were created by Lawrence and the TATS CRU to celebrate the complex’s rich history and its indelible legacy as a cultural incubator for generations. The project is part of the PHCF’s From Roots to Arts Program, a citywide initiative uplifting resident voices and local artists through creative placemaking. The program is funded by the Mellon Foundation.

The three murals offer a dual narrative reflecting the Bronx River Houses’ spirit. The murals on the front of the community center are an emotive homage to the heart of the complex, featuring portraits of the elders who built the foundation, the youth who carry its future, and famous figures who hail from Bronx River Houses, conveying a powerful sense of unity and legacy. The back mural is a dynamic celebration of the complex’s global impact on music. Executed in an authentic graffiti style, this piece incorporates the five foundational elements of Hip Hop: MCing, DJing, breakdancing, beatboxing, and graffiti. 

As part of PHCF’s From Roots to Arts Program, the Bronx River mural joins a series of new public art installations and programming being created in NYCHA communities across all five boroughs, each one celebrating the resilience, talent, and cultural impact of public housing residents.

Mark Lawrence, who has traveled the globe with his talents and witnessed the Bronx River Houses’ profound influence on the world, returned home with a mission to give back to the community that raised him. His personal connection to the complex runs deep; his family were pioneers in the development, and his artistic journey began right here under the guidance of his mother, Sylvia Lawrence, his first mentor, teacher, and enduring inspiration. It was Sylvia who instilled in him not only the fundamentals of reading and writing but an appreciation for oil painting, watercolor, acrylics, and music.

To fully realize the vision of the back mural, Mark Lawrence brought in the world-famous Bronx graffiti crew, TATS CRU, including Sotero “BG183” Ortiz, Wilfredo “Bio” Feliciano, and Hector “Nicer” Nazario. In addition to being lifelong friends of Mr. Lawrence, this collaboration is particularly significant as TATS CRU are all Bronx natives, with Bio having been raised in the complex, and BG183 holding the distinction of being the first artist to paint the interior of the complex’s community center in the early 1980s.

This full-circle moment brings Mark Lawrence back to his roots, reuniting him with his childhood friend and fellow Bronx River Houses native, Norma Saunders, who now serves as the Tenant Association President. Mr. Lawrence fondly credits the influential environment of the Bronx River Houses for shaping his life and inspiring his journey. His return underscores a commitment to giving back to the community that instilled in him the determination to achieve greatness.

Image Courtesy of Mark Lawrence, PHCF, NYCHA

About the Public Housing Community Fund 

The Public Housing Community Fund is an independent not-for-profit organization that creates and leverages resources and relationships to enhance the opportunities and quality of life for New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents and their communities while uplifting the importance of public housing in New York City. www.communityfund.nyc

About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)       

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in North America, was created in 1934 to provide decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. NYCHA is home to 1 in 17 New Yorkers, providing affordable housing to 520,808 authorized residents through public housing and Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) programs as well as Section 8 housing. NYCHA has 177,569 apartments in 2,411 buildings across 335 conventional public housing and PACT developments. In addition, NYCHA connects residents to critical programs and services from external and internal partners, with a focus on economic opportunity, youth, seniors, and social services. With a housing stock that spans all five boroughs, NYCHA is a city within a city.