Latest news with #QuintaBrunson
The South African
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
Quinta Brunson honoured with key to West Philadelphia
Quinta Brunson, the Emmy-winning creator, returned to her roots in West Philadelphia last week for a heartwarming celebration. On 28 May, she was awarded the key to the city by Philadelphia's Mayor Cherelle Parker at her old school, Andrew Hamilton Elementary. The event was filled with pride, laughter, and a deep sense of community. Mayor Parker warmly declared, 'Quinta Brunson, this is your city and you are ours!' handing over the symbolic key amidst cheers from students, family, and local officials, according to BET. Brunson, ever the comedian, joked, 'What does it open?' before reflecting on the moment with gratitude. 'Even when I first walked in the door, I was like, 'Oh, I'm home. I'm home. I'm in Philly,' she said. 'This gym felt so big when I was a kid. Being back here feels like coming home'. The celebration also featured the unveiling of a vibrant new mural titled Blooming Futures on the school's exterior. The mural was created by Philadelphia artist Athena Scott in collaboration with Brunson and Mural Arts Philadelphia. Unlike the original plan to feature characters from Abbott Elementary , Brunson insisted the mural showcase real faces from the community — students, teachers, and neighbours. 'You don't need to see famous people on the wall. You need to see you on the wall. Painted, beautiful. We are beautiful. It makes a difference,' she explained. Brunson's mother, Norma Jean, a former kindergarten teacher in Philadelphia public schools, was present and applauded. Brunson credited her mother and other educators for inspiring the heartfelt stories in Abbott Elementary . 'This woman had five kids, and then she had 30 more in her classroom, and that's what let me know that education is not just a job, it is a lifelong dedication,' she said. Before the event wrapped up, surprised the crowd by pledging R1 million (approximately R 1,000,000) split between two local nonprofits. One supports music education, and another provides fresh groceries to children in need. 'Supporting our kids is everything,' she said. This generous donation reflects her ongoing commitment to uplifting her community. For fans eager for more Abbott Elementary , Quinta Brunson confirmed that the fifth season is already in the works. 'We just started in the writers' room last week,' she shared. 'I'm excited about what's coming next'. Brunson's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of community, education, and representation. Her journey from West Philly to global acclaim shows how local roots can inspire worldwide success. As she said, 'We have to see ourselves in the big picture. That's how we know there's a tomorrow. That's how we know there's a community to take care of'. In a world craving authentic stories and role models, Quinta Brunson shines as a beacon of hope and pride. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Philadelphia honours Quinta Brunson with key, mural at alma mater that inspired ‘Abbott Elementary'
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia's mayor honoured actor and producer Quinta Brunson with a key to the city Wednesday in a ceremony dedicating a separate mural at Brunson's alma mater, which was the inspiration for her show 'Abbott Elementary.' The producer, writer and comedian gazed at the shiny key handed to her by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and quipped: 'Wow! I want to ask the question on everybody's mind: What does it open?' Brunson used the ceremony held at Andrew Hamilton School to celebrate the power of public education, public schoolteachers and music and arts education. Her parents and siblings were in attendance, along with Joyce Abbott, the teacher who inspired the name of the show's fictional school, the 'real life Gregory' and other teachers and classmates. The mural, titled Blooming Features, was created by artist Athena Scott with input from Brunson and Hamilton students and staff. Its brightly colored depictions of real people from the school wrap around the outside of the school's red brick facade. Brunson described taking inspiration from the murals painted along her subway route as a kid, especially when she saw one of her own teachers featured. She said she hopes this mural has the same effect. The actor said she nixed an initial mock-up brought to her by ABC that featured actors from the Emmy Award-winning show in favor of actual community members — because 'that's how you know there is a future.' 'You don't need to see famous people on the wall. You need to see you on the wall,' she said. 'Painted, beautiful. We are beautiful. It makes a difference. It made a difference for me, so I know even if it makes a difference for just one child, that one child matters.' Jane Golden, executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, said she was thrilled when Brunson featured her organization on an episode of the show. Philadelphia is ranked No. 1 in the nation for its murals. 'When people visit Philadelphia they are struck by the works of art that grace the sides of buildings in every single neighbourhood of the city,' she said. 'For us, this is a matter of equity. It's great to have world class galleries and museums — that's wonderful — but the fact that everyone everywhere can walk out the door and see large-scale works of public art that represent them, like the school here, that is awesome.' The Associated Press
5 days ago
- Entertainment
Philadelphia honors Quinta Brunson with key, mural at alma mater that inspired 'Abbott Elementary'
PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia's mayor honored actor and producer Quinta Brunson with a key to the city Wednesday in a ceremony dedicating a separate mural at Brunson's alma mater, which was the inspiration for her show 'Abbott Elementary.' The producer, writer and comedian gazed at the shiny key handed to her by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and quipped: 'Wow! I want to ask the question on everybody's mind: What does it open?' Brunson used the ceremony held at Andrew Hamilton School to celebrate the power of public education, public schoolteachers and music and arts education. Her parents and siblings were in attendance, along with Joyce Abbott, the teacher who inspired the name of the show's fictional school, the 'real life Gregory' and other teachers and classmates. The mural, titled Blooming Features, was created by artist Athena Scott with input from Brunson and Hamilton students and staff. Its brightly colored depictions of real people from the school wrap around the outside of the school's red brick facade. Brunson described taking inspiration from the murals painted along her subway route as a kid, especially when she saw one of her own teachers featured. She said she hopes this mural has the same effect. The actor said she nixed an initial mock-up brought to her by ABC that featured actors from the Emmy Award-winning show in favor of actual community members — because 'that's how you know there is a future.' 'You don't need to see famous people on the wall. You need to see you on the wall,' she said. 'Painted, beautiful. We are beautiful. It makes a difference. It made a difference for me, so I know even if it makes a difference for just one child, that one child matters.' Jane Golden, executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, said she was thrilled when Brunson featured her organization on an episode of the show. Philadelphia is ranked No. 1 in the nation for its murals. 'When people visit Philadelphia they are struck by the works of art that grace the sides of buildings in every single neighborhood of the city,' she said. 'For us, this is a matter of equity. It's great to have world class galleries and museums — that's wonderful — but the fact that everyone everywhere can walk out the door and see large-scale works of public art that represent them, like the school here, that is awesome.'
CBS News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Quinta Brunson honored with key to the city of Philadelphia, mural at alma mater that inspired "Abbott Elementary"
Philadelphia's mayor honored actor and producer Quinta Brunson with a key to the city Wednesday in a ceremony dedicating a separate mural at Brunson's alma mater, which inspired her show Abbott Elementary. The producer, writer and comedian gazed at the shiny key handed to her by Mayor Cherelle Parker and quipped: "Wow! I want to ask the question on everybody's mind: What does it open?" Brunson used the ceremony held at Andrew Hamilton School to celebrate the power of public education, public schoolteachers and music and arts education. Her parents and siblings were in attendance, along with Joyce Abbott, the teacher who inspired the name of the show's fictional school, the "real life Gregory" and other teachers and classmates. The mural, titled Blooming Features, was created by artist Athena Scott with input from Brunson and Hamilton students and staff. Its brightly colored depictions of real people from the school wrap around the outside of the school's red brick facade. Brunson described taking inspiration from the murals painted along her subway route as a kid, especially when she saw one of her own teachers featured. She said she hopes this mural has the same effect. The actor said she nixed an initial mock-up brought to her by ABC that featured actors from the Emmy Award-winning show in favor of actual community members — because "that's how you know there is a future." "You don't need to see famous people on the wall. You need to see you on the wall," she said. "Painted, beautiful. We are beautiful. It makes a difference. It made a difference for me, so I know even if it makes a difference for just one child, that one child matters." Jane Golden, executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, said she was thrilled when Brunson featured her organization on an episode of the show. Philadelphia is ranked No. 1 in the nation for its murals. "When people visit Philadelphia, they are struck by the works of art that grace the sides of buildings in every single neighborhood of the city," she said. "For us, this is a matter of equity. It's great to have world class galleries and museums — that's wonderful — but the fact that everyone everywhere can walk out the door and see large-scale works of public art that represent them, like the school here, that is awesome."
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Philadelphia honors Quinta Brunson with key, mural at alma mater that inspired 'Abbott Elementary'
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia's mayor honored actor and producer Quinta Brunson with a key to the city Wednesday in a ceremony dedicating a separate mural at Brunson's alma mater, which was the inspiration for her show 'Abbott Elementary.' The producer, writer and comedian gazed at the shiny key handed to her by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and quipped: 'Wow! I want to ask the question on everybody's mind: What does it open?' Brunson used the ceremony held at Andrew Hamilton School to celebrate the power of public education, public schoolteachers and music and arts education. Her parents and siblings were in attendance, along with Joyce Abbott, the teacher who inspired the name of the show's fictional school, the 'real life Gregory' and other teachers and classmates. The mural, titled Blooming Features, was created by artist Athena Scott with input from Brunson and Hamilton students and staff. Its brightly colored depictions of real people from the school wrap around the outside of the school's red brick facade. Brunson described taking inspiration from the murals painted along her subway route as a kid, especially when she saw one of her own teachers featured. She said she hopes this mural has the same effect. The actor said she nixed an initial mock-up brought to her by ABC that featured actors from the Emmy Award-winning show in favor of actual community members — because 'that's how you know there is a future.' 'You don't need to see famous people on the wall. You need to see you on the wall,' she said. 'Painted, beautiful. We are beautiful. It makes a difference. It made a difference for me, so I know even if it makes a difference for just one child, that one child matters.' Jane Golden, executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, said she was thrilled when Brunson featured her organization on an episode of the show. Philadelphia is ranked No. 1 in the nation for its murals. 'When people visit Philadelphia they are struck by the works of art that grace the sides of buildings in every single neighborhood of the city,' she said. 'For us, this is a matter of equity. It's great to have world class galleries and museums — that's wonderful — but the fact that everyone everywhere can walk out the door and see large-scale works of public art that represent them, like the school here, that is awesome.'
