Dozens gathered Thursday at the corner of 25th Avenue and Broadway as the city of Gary dedicated a new mural honoring hometown legend Deniece “Songbird” Williams, a four-time Grammy Award-winning singer and proud daughter of Gary.
As DJs played her classics, from “Black Butterfly” to “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle,” local politicians took the stage to thank Williams and honor her legacy.
State Sen. Mark Spencer and state Rep. Ragen Hatcher praised Williams’ hometown roots. Spencer presented a proclamation from the Indiana General Assembly naming her the “favorite daughter of Gary.”
Public art has become central to Gary’s cultural revival. The Williams mural is the latest in a series of projects celebrating the city’s musical icons, including the Jackson family and Vee-Jay Records. City leaders and artists say these works are more than decoration; they are a way to honor history, uplift neighborhoods, and remind residents to “give people their flowers” while they are here to see them.
At the end of Thursday’s unveiling, Williams took the stage to thank her hometown for the tribute. She opened with a live performance of her hit single “Silly,” drawing the crowd into a chorus.
The event was more than a tribute. It was a statement about Gary’s future.
Williams told Capital B Gary she was overwhelmed with gratitude for the mural, but was just as excited to see her city’s growth and expansion.
“That’s why I’m here,” she said. “I’ve been working with city officials and helping to delegate a plan of action to bring our city back to what it once was — and beyond that.”
She said efforts are underway to create a music school, youth music programs, and an arts district in Gary.
“Gary raised me. Now it’s time to give back,” she added.
Mayor Eddie Melton echoed that theme, tying the mural to broader revitalization efforts across the city, including blight removal efforts, a new lease on the convention center, and $3 billion investment at Gary Works. Markael Watkins, who worked closely with the city to bring the project to life, said the mural symbolizes hope, creativity, and perseverance, inspiring future generations.
The vivid yellow-and-orange mural was painted by Max Sansing, the renowned Chicago artist behind several public works in the Midwest.
Williams’ four sons — Kenderick Williams Jr., Kevin Williams, Forrest West, and Logan West — spoke proudly of her impact. Logan, her youngest, told Capital B Gary he felt “blessed” to see his mother honored in the city where it all began.
After the tribute, attendees swapped memories. One fan, Lena Brown, brought a vinyl copy of her “This is Niecey” album, saying she grew up listening to Williams with her family.
Other fans, including Toni Simmons-Acoff, also attended the tribute. Simmons-Acoff recalled being a childhood friend of Williams, growing up in Terrytown, sharing books on the walk to Tolleston, and singing together in a gospel group called the Lewie’s.
Family members were in attendance, including nephew Jason Williams, who grew up in Miller. He said seeing his aunt honored “feels larger than life” and shows the importance of carrying hometown pride throughout the world.