The Foundation launched the Community Hearts Program in partnership with the Southeast Community Center (SECC). As a part of its Black History Month celebration on Saturday, February 24, 2024, the SECC unveiled André Renay’s heart sculpture, entitled “Justice,” which pictures an iconic image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Rev. Jesse Douglas, James Forman, and Ralph Abernathy standing united and linking arms in a resolute stand for justice and equality. “Justice” represents the enduring spirit of the civil rights movement and its connection to the ongoing struggle for equality, as exemplified by the Black Lives Matter movement. The Foundation is excited to partner with the SECC because of the center’s cultural significance to the Bayview community.
The Foundation is thrilled to announce our partnership with the SECC and launch SFGHF’s Community Hearts Program. It’s a significant milestone for us in our ongoing commitment to equity, access, and healthcare for all. This program aims to highlight the immense talent of our City’s diverse artists and ensures that all communities can experience the beauty and joy of these sculptures. The SECC is a vibrant and vital resource for the community, and I’m excited André Renay’s sculpture will be more widely shared and appreciated
Kim Meredith, CEO of the Foundation
“We chose this design because the message of André’s piece aligns with the Center’s core values. It celebrates the legacy of the SECC’s Founders whose strong community activism is an inspiring example of civic leadership and advocacy,” said Susan Murphy, Chair of the Southeast Facility Commission. “Home is where the heart is. The heart is here at SECC.”
“The SECC has a stellar $2.5 million collection of art on display—all of which were created by artists of color and all of whom demonstrate a meaningful connection to the community. André Renay’s heart sculpture ‘Justice’ is an incredible addition to that collection,” said SECC Executive Director Emily Rogers-Pharr.
The Community Hearts Program gifts or loans large Heart sculptures from the Hearts in San Francisco sculpture series to adorn community spaces and organizations for public enjoyment. In a mission to bring Hearts in San Francisco to every corner of the city, the Foundation is beginning this new effort to ensure more San Franciscans find Hearts in their neighborhoods. These sculptures symbolize the city’s commitment to care for all the citizens and stand behind the people on the front lines at ZSFG.
“Justice,” is the first Heart sculpture on loan through the Community Hearts Program, and will be on display for the next two years, at which time the Foundation and the SECC will work together to commission a new piece by a young artist from the community. It was originally designed for Hearts in San Francisco, a citywide public art project introduced by the Foundation in 2004, to feature established and emerging artist’s work in plazas, parks, and on street corners throughout San Francisco. Since the inaugural year of the Hearts in SF program, more than 500 Hearts have been created, and nearly $40 million has been raised to benefit programs at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG).