A little more than half a century after the original Black Family Statue was installed in a Mountain View park, a long-awaited replacement was officially unveiled Saturday during a community celebration that doubled as a Juneteenth event. The new metal statue, created by welding professor Mike Bradbury, now stands in the same location as the original at Neil Petties Mountain View Park, replacing the deteriorated wooden sculpture that had left only a brass plaque and foundation behind.
The ceremony drew residents, elected officials, and media to the park, where the statue was concealed under a large black cloth. Music played as attendees filled chairs and lined the sidewalks.
Jeffrey Hayes, a longtime resident and the driving force behind the replacement effort, addressed the crowd wearing a T-shirt and a wide smile. “Community is all we got, it’s all of us together.
Let’s stick together, and let’s make something together,” he said. Hayes emphasized the role of grandparents and parents in guiding today’s youth and credited the park as a place where he once learned from role models like Neil Petties.
Cybele Thompson, a key organizer, described the statue as “the geographic and emotional heart of the Mountain View Community.” Mike Bradbury, artist-in-residence at San Diego College of Continuing Education, where the original sculptor Rossi Wade also once served in the same role, said he fell in love with the project and what the sculpture represents. “It’s amazing to see all you folks here, years after this thing’s been gone, and now it’s back,” Bradbury told attendees.
The effort to replace the statue took a decade and required navigating city bureaucracy. Community activist Paul Krueger praised Hayes for his dedication, stating, “If we’re in debt today to any one person, it’s Jeffrey.” Rossi Wade’s daughters, Lynn Brown and Carole Boyce, also played a crucial role after Hayes contacted them to retrieve the bronze plaque that had been in their custody.
Boyce recalled feeling discouraged by the slow process but said Hayes’ enthusiasm kept everyone optimistic. “My father would be so proud and happy today,” Boyce said.
“Family is and always has been the necessary foundation in life, for nurturing and support, for creating values, for safety, for comfort. His statues were meant to be a constant visual reminder of that family love.”
Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe spoke at the unveiling, saying the statue’s recreation will bring pride for generations and thanking Rossi Wade for his reminder of the Black family as a strong and important unit. When the cloth was finally dropped, the tall black metal statue was revealed, reflecting the dignity and unity of the Black family.
The new statue, supported by staff and leadership at the college, is expected to serve as a beacon for residents for years to come.