Longshoremen Interactive Mural
Welcome to Miami MoCAAD's Interactive Oral History Mural honoring International Longshoremen Association (ILA) Local 1416, which was founded in Overtown in 1936, Miami MoCAAD commissioned Reginald O'Neal to create a mural at the Union Hall owned by the predominantly Black ILA Local 1416 to honor its history, leadership and legacy.
International Longshoremen Association Local 1416
Reginald O'Neal, International Longshoremen Association Local 1416“For 80-plus years the ILA has provided brother/sisterhood, mentorship, and structure in the Miami community. As an Overtown native, I have always heard about the Shoremen and passed by their headquarters across from the “Lyric Theater” but never understood what was going on in detail. As I got older and became a muralist, I dreamt of painting the wall that's on the north side of the building and I am more than honored that the ILA and Miami MoCAAD are allowing me to do so. In the process of deciding what to paint, I got to know a little more about the Association and what they represent, and in The Idea, I attempt to encapsulate that.”
~Reginald O'Neal
Reginald O'Neal
Reginald O'Neal (Miami, Florida 1992) began painting in 2012, soon after meeting his friend and mentor, Alejandro Dorda, who would teach him classically. In 2014, O'Neal took his first trip to Europe to complete murals in Austria, Norway, and Spain, as well as exhibit in a collective show alongside his teacher in Berlin, Germany.
n the years since, Reggie has focused on canvas work, residencies, and murals that embody his community surroundings, experiences and beliefs. Through his paintings, O'Neal reflects the complexity of the African - American experience in his hometown of Overtown, a historically Black neighborhood i n Miami, FL. Basing his paintings on original photographs, personal and community narratives of domestic violence, marginalization, loss and beauty are revealed and shared.
O'Neal's work has been acquired for the permanent collections of the Pérez Art Museum Miami, Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, and the Rubell Museum. His work has been included in exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, Youth Concept Gallery, West Palm Beach, FL, and Urban Art Clash Gallery, Berlin, Germany. Spinello Projects featured O'Neal in Art Basel Miami Beach 2022.
Residents and visitors can scan QR codes and view interviews that tell the history and key contributions ILA Local 1416 has made throughout the community since its founding in 1936.
International Longshoremen Association Local 1416
Welcome to Miami MoCAAD's Overtown Interactive Mural. On this page, you can see an image of the mural. Interact by clicking the white hotspots indicated below and discover Overtown oral histories.
Plan Your Trip to the Interactive Mural
Discover fantastic murals in Historic Overtown and get a sense of the neighborhood's flavor. Grab a bite to eat at Lil Greenhouse Grill, a meal at Red Rooster, explore the collections of Black Miami history at the Black Archives and check out an artist talk at the Ward Rooming House, powered by Hampton Art Lovers.
Oral Stories
Torin Ragin | Beginning With Judge Henderson
Local 1416 started with Judge Henderson, a pioneer who organized and put together collective bargaining agreement in 1936 when the wages were very low. Local 1416 has owned its union hall building in Overtown since 1955. Because of foundation laid by Judge Henderson, Local 1416 is able to reap benefits of 86 years of providing labor for good paying jobs and creating part of black middle class. To view the full video, visit Miami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Alan Davis | Education Important
From inception, education stressed to children. Local 1416 considered it a duty to members and community to support education; provide employment and assist those returning from incarceration in qualifying for jobs. To view the full video, visit Miami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields | Ladder To Middle Class
Longshoremen created the middle class. With the Union, they had better jobs, and they were able to create opportunities for descendants to be educated—to go to college, graduate school or start businesses. To view the full video, visit Miami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
William Thomas | My Brother's Keeper
The core of Local 1416 came from Overtown, and Local 1416 taught its members to take care of each other and their community. To view the full video, visit Miami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Lovette "Queen Of The South" McGill | First Woman Elected To An Office
Lovette McGill was the first woman elected to an office in Local 1416. To view the full video, visit Miami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Torin Ragin | Essential To Economy
Longshoremen industry is critically important and essential to the economy. Nearly everything you buy from the shelves has to be shipped. PortMiami is second biggest economic generator in Miami-Dade County outside of the airport. To view the full video, visit Miami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Torin Ragin | 800 Members Strong
Local 1416 has close to 800 members with longstanding tradition of serving Miami-Dade County, but especially Overtown, Miami Gardens, Liberty City and Cutler Ridge. It's active in charitable contributions, advocacy, politics and cultural activities. To view the full video, visit Miami MoCAAD's YouTube channel.
Mural Locations
Longshoremen Interactive Mural
Other Mural: Our Family Tree
Miami MoCAAD's Interactive Mural OVERtown: Our Family Tree
