First look: Philly's "real-life Rockys" get a mural
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EMIR founder Chantay Love and late Philly boxer Jimmy Young. Photos: Courtesy Christopher Grant and Jason Young
Hey Philly, meet your "real life Rockys."
Why it matters: The four contest winners will be announced today, and we got a sneak peek.
Driving the news: The winners are: Chantay Love, an anti-violence advocate who runs Every Murder is Real (EMIR). Her organization, named after her late brother, Emir, helps families cope with the loss of loved ones.
- Late boxer Jimmy Young, who was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame. He beat long odds to become a heavyweight prizefighter, squaring off with the likes of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
- Michelle Konkoly, a Jefferson University pediatric doctor who overcame a spinal cord injury to become a two-time Paralympic gold medalist in swimming.
- Philly barber Joshua Santiago, founder of Empowering Cuts. He travels the country giving free haircuts to people experiencing homelessness.
Catch up quick: Portraits of the real life Rockys will appear in a mural from street artist Ash Ryan.
- It'll be unveiled next week during RockyFest near the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum.
What they're saying: Mural Arts executive director Jane Golden said the mural will inspire everyone to remember "the everyday heroes among us."
If you go: The unveiling is Dec. 4 at 10 a.m.