"Urban Redevelopment: Balancing Art and Community Preservation in Cincinnati"

Muralist William Rankins Jr. has painted dozens of murals across Cincinnati's predominantly Black communities, but redevelopment in the city's urban core has led to the disappearance of most of his work. As neighborhoods like Over-the-Rhine and the West End undergo rapid changes, Rankins' murals are being lost, raising questions about who benefits from renewal efforts. Despite losing his eyesight, Rankins continues to paint with assistance and hopes to preserve his legacy through future projects, while the community laments the loss of its cultural heritage amidst redevelopment.