WESST PRESS RELEASES

WESST, a non-profit economic development organization, is now the home to of one of the largest indoor murals in Albuquerque. WESST is hosting its Mural Reveal and Ribbon Cutting Celebration event on Thursday, March 9th, from 4:30pm-6pm. Remarks will begin at 5:15pm. The event will be held at the WESST Enterprise Center located at 609 Broadway Blvd NE, Albuquerque NM 87102. The event is open to public.

Standing in the expansive, light-filled Atrium of the WESST Enterprise Center is a two-story, 408 square foot indoor mural, designed and painted by Jodie Herrera. Ms. Herrera, a local New Mexican muralist, was herself a WESST client in 2017, participating in WESST’s IDA Program which helped individuals build wealth and increase their financial independence. With support from WESST, Ms. Herrera used her program funds to launch her art business.

The mural design features three WESST clients – all resilient women business owners, as well as flowers from bud to bloom and butterfly wings that represent different stages of a business journey, along with a caption that reads, “A Place for Us to Grow and Blossom.”  The mural tells the story of WESST’s work with underserved New Mexican entrepreneurs and celebrates the success and positive economic impact our amazing clients bring to the state, helping them build strong and sustainable businesses that support their families and communities!

Jodie Herrera, along with the three WESST small business clients featured on the mural – Carmen Bolivar, Dr. Ndidiamaka Okpareke, and Alyssa Begay – will join WESST to make remarks at the March 9 event. We look forward to hosting the press, WESST donors, and community partners to celebrate the mural reveal.

The project was made possible by the generous donors of WESST.