Pace University Community Unveils New Mural Honoring Life of Danroy “DJ” Henry Jr.

Pace University yesterday unveiled a mural in the Kessel Student Center to commemorate the memory of Danroy "DJ" Henry Jr., a Pace student-athlete who was shot and killed by a police officer 11 years ago.

The mural unveiling effectively kicks-off Pace University's Second Annual Social Justice Week, which runs from October 24 to October 29 and includes a wide range of events, lectures, and original programming to engage the campus community about issues of equity, justice, and racism. Pace University is committed to being an anti-racist institution and Social Justice Week helps foster education and advocacy to its students, faculty and staff.

In remarks at the mural unveiling, President Marvin Krislov thanked students who led this project for their hard work, their dedication to DJ Henry’s legacy, and their commitment to the Pace community.

“What happened to DJ Henry was an unforgettable, unforgivable tragedy. But his legacy lives on,” said President Krislov. “It lives on in his legacy of kindness and commitment. It lives on in the efforts of our students to ensure he is commemorated. It lives on our important Social Justice Week of programming. It lives on in our commitment to justice, progress, and anti-racism. And lives on in this beautiful mural.”

This initiative was primarily student-driven, from advocating for the mural, selecting the artist, securing funding from Student Government Association, and contributing ideas for the artwork. The 12 foot by 8 width mural was painted by Brittney S. Price, a Los Angeles-based artist who specializes in powerful visual commentary on current events. She's recently worked on campaigns for Black Lives Matter, Change.org, Paint the City Peaceful, We Rise LA, and LA Commons.

For Irach’e “Shea” Teague and Ja’Rette Mungin – Pace University students who helped conceive and advocate for the mural – the art in the student center is a fitting tribute and constant reminder of Henry’s legacy.

"A mural in honor of Danroy ‘DJ’ Henry is important for the entire Pace community because it shows what we can accomplish together as a community,” said Teague, a senior English major from Long Island. “Equity and accountability is the only way we can achieve justice and that is the start to greater change. I’m excited to help continue DJ’s legacy.”

Mungin, a graduate student from Bronx, N.Y., added: "The mural in honor of Danroy ‘DJ’ Henry is important because it helps to promote social awareness and to spread positivity. It is necessary to be consistently socially aware so that we can protect and nurture our students of color. DJs legacy lives on through them.”

"DJ’s mural is a lasting legacy that represents not only him, but the countless amount of black people who have lost their lives through police brutality over the years,” said Student Government Association President Kimberly Mars, a junior from Jersey City, N.J. “DJ’s story acts as a reminder of the work that we have to do in this country and the commitment that we all should make to continue to push for social justice. The fight for equality is not over but this is a reminder that we are making progress toward change.”

During Pace’s inaugural Social Justice Week last year, there was a screening and discussion of the 48 Hours segment, “The Story of DJ Henry” as well as a campus rally on October 29—DJ Henry’s birthday. Pace also retired his No. 12 jersey and the clock tower at Goldstein Fitness Center is named for Henry. View the full schedule of this year’s Social Justice Week events.

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About Pace University

Since 1906, Pace University has educated thinking professionals by providing high quality education for the professions on a firm base of liberal learning amid the advantages of the New York metropolitan area. A private university, Pace has campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York, enrolling nearly 13,000 students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in its Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Lubin School of Business, College of Health Professions, School of Education, School of Law, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.