"South Central Strong” by Artist Moses Ball Installed at Colden Avenue and Flower Street
LOS ANGELES — A vibrant, colorful collection of mural portraits illustrating the struggles and strengths of the South Los Angeles community now greets residents and visitors by the Interstate 110 (I-110) Colden Avenue undercrossing.
Today, California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy and local officials and community members celebrated the successful installation of the artwork – representing the final piece in a set of three new murals on I-110 as part of the Clean California beautification project.
“South Central Strong” by artist Moses Ball can be seen on the southwest corner of Colden Avenue and Flower Street. It will serve as a regular sight for students at nearby elementary schools – Charles W. Barrett Elementary and Watts Learning Center – as well as Burton Technology Academy High School, a short walk away. Ball’s theme seeks to highlight everyday heroes of South Central L.A. through nine portraits representing community archetypes.
The woman on the left panel represents a mother mourning the loss of her child to human trafficking. Other portraits include urban gardening activist Ron Finley, a young girl symbolizing South Central’s growth, stages of fatherhood, guardianship over younger siblings and the guidance of elders. The last figure is a dancer modeled on Elle Munda, a recent graduate of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, representing youth who can thrive creatively; and the safety, joy and opportunity that should be a part of every childhood.
The $2.89 million project was funded by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Clean California initiative – a sweeping $1.2 billion, multiyear cleanup effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs and engage communities to transform public spaces. The beautification effort also included sustainable landscaping, rock blanket paving and fencing improvements.
“These murals are powerful reflections of the people, stories and resilience that have shaped South Los Angeles,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “Governor Newsom’s Clean California program is about uplifting and investing in our communities, and projects like this show what’s possible when we come together to create welcoming, inspiring public spaces for all.”
"Caltrans is proud to work with local artists, cultural organizations, and community partners to make these projects possible,” said Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy. “Together, we’re fostering pride and strengthening connections so local communities can thrive.”
“South Central Strong” represents the power of murals to serve as a canvas for artists to convey community values, depict histories and foster community connection,” said Daniel Tarica, General Manager, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. “Through portraits of people in the community, the artwork celebrates and recognizes our local culture bearers and heroes.”
“My favorite part about being a muralist is creating images that beautify neighborhoods and serve as symbols of neighborhood pride, while inspiring all who view them,” Ball said. “I hope this mural raises awareness and inspires us to take care of our children and become closer family units.”
The spotlight on contemporary figures in “South Central Strong” is a fitting bookend to the historical journey of the I-110 murals, from an homage to Black families traveling in Los Angeles during the Jim Crow era in “Safe Travels” by artist Bodeck Luna at 43rd and Flower Streets, to the musical heritage and civil rights movements captured in the mural “Jazz on the Field” by artist MisterAlek at 43rd Street and Grand Avenue.
Photos of the corner of Colden Avenue and Flower Street along I-110 in South Los Angeles from Jan. 2021 and Sept. 2026, showing beautification improvements: new fencing, rock blanket paving, drought-tolerant landscaping, and the mural “South Central Strong” by Moses Ball.
The mural "South Central Strong" by Moses Ball at Colden Avenue and Flower Street, part of the Clean California I-110 Beautification Project.
A portrait of urban gardening activist Ron Finley in the mural “South Central Strong” by artist Moses Ball at Colden Avenue and Flower Street.
This project is just one of 320 Clean California projects beautifying communities throughout the state. Since launching Clean California in July 2021, Caltrans and its local partners have picked up more than 3.5 million cubic yards of litter from highways and public spaces – the equivalent of filling about 180,000 garbage trucks with debris and trash.
Clean California substantially increased the department’s previous trash collection efforts. Caltrans has hosted more than 650 free dump days in communities throughout the state – resulting in the collection of 15,500-plus mattresses and 57,000 tires. The initiative has enlisted more than 72,000 community clean-up volunteers and created 18,267 jobs, including positions for individuals who were formerly incarcerated, on probation or experiencing housing insecurity.
To learn about other California projects in District 7, visit dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-7/district-7-programs/d7-clean-california.
For more information about transportation and other infrastructure statewide projects funded with state and federal investments, visit build.ca.gov.