PROJECT BACKBOARD
The iconic Legion Park in Miami just got a major upgrade with the unveiling of a stunning new mural by artist Najja Moon.
Najja Moon is a Miami based artist and cultural practitioner, born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. Her visual arts practice uses drawing, text and sound to explore the intersections of queer identity, the body and movement, black culture and familiar relations both personal and communal. A preacher’s kid and daughter of musicians raised on gospel music and HBCU’s, before she committed to being an artist full time, she was a basketball player who used to be a kid who wanted to be an artist. Her art practice has in some ways become the probing of these intersections.
This mural, titled Uncommon Routes, celebrates the power of movement, play, and community—reflecting the strength of those who take unconventional paths. Just like Jimmy Butler’s journey from homelessness to NBA star, this court honors the resilience and creativity that thrive in spaces where people come together to play, learn, and grow.
Uncommon Routes was created in partnership with BIGFACE, The Salty, Project Backboard and JD Sports Play with Purpose initiative.
About Project Backboard
Project Backboard is a non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing public basketball courts by transforming them into vibrant works of art. By collaborating with local artists and communities, Project Backboard enhances the aesthetics and functionality of courts, making them more inviting and inspiring places to play. Their mission is rooted in the belief that basketball has the power to bring people together, foster connections, and create positive change in neighborhoods. Through their work, they not only improve playing conditions but also celebrate the cultural and artistic influence of the game.
With Uncommon Routes, Project Backboard continues its mission of turning courts into more than just playing surfaces—they become expressions of community, creativity, and resilience.