Artist Vincent Ballentine Chosen to Assist Honor Greensboro Six; Unveils Idea for Wyndham Rewards Commissioned Mural

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Following a nation-wide search that noticed greater than 50 submissions from artists coast-to-coast, Wyndham Rewards®, in collaboration with the Metropolis of Greensboro and First Tee – Central Carolina, at this time introduced artist Vincent Ballentine has been chosen to design and set up a commemorative mural honoring civil rights pioneers, The Greensboro Six, at historic Gillespie Golf Course in Greensboro, N.C.

Wyndham Rewards launched Vincent to the group at a press convention at Gillespie and shared an early rendering of his idea for the mural, honoring The Greensboro Six’s impression whereas celebrating Gillespie’s continued significance to the group by way of the work of First Tee. Ballentine’s imaginative and prescient and work will formally be unveiled throughout a particular celebration at Gillespie on August 5, forward of the PGA TOUR’s 85^th Annual Wyndham Championship.

This mural is a particular reminder of our super historical past in Greensboro, and the impression The Greensboro Six had on the game of golf and past. Vincent’s design captures our imaginative and prescient of bringing the group collectively by way of the ability of golf and can function an on a regular basis reminder of our storied previous—and due to that—our lovely future. Ryan Wilson, CEO, First Tee – Central Carolina

The Gillespie mural honors brave males who overcame deep-rooted racial challenges to encourage unbelievable change. My hope is that the mural sparks significant conversations amongst youthful generations about our historical past and the significance of inclusivity whereas establishing a everlasting fixture paying homage to the Greensboro Six. Vincent Ballentine

Illustrating Historical past, Inspiring Generations

Brooklyn-based Vincent Ballentine is a multi-disciplined visible artist with a level in movie and schooling from the College of the Arts in Philadelphia and continued examine in movie at Cleveland Institute of Artwork. His work ranges from digital illustration and animation, to large-scale murals and avenue artwork and has been commissioned by the likes of NCAA, MTV and BET, amongst others.

With a heartfelt ardour for storytelling by way of artwork and a want to encourage generational connectivity and inclusivity, Ballentine was chosen from a pool of greater than 50 completed artists nationwide to inform the story of The Greensboro Six. His interpretation of historical past particulars the Civil Rights heroes as they stroll by way of the doorways of the Gate Metropolis, a nickname for town of Greensboro, and ushers in a brand new day for golf and the world we stay in at this time. The picture is complemented with nods to the continued significance Gillespie performs locally at this time, significantly by way of the work of the First Tee.

The Legacy of The Greensboro Six

In 1955, one week after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to surrender her seat on a Montgomery bus, six Black males led by Dr. George Simkins began a neighborhood motion of their very own by defiantly enjoying a spherical on the whites-only Gillespie Golf Course. They had been later arrested, convicted of trespassing and spent 15 days in jail. Seven years and quite a few court docket instances later, their actions led to Gillespie desegregating and later, seeing The Higher Greensboro Open (now the Wyndham Championship) develop into the primary PGA TOUR occasion within the South to welcome a Black participant (Charlie Sifford).

Right now, Gillespie is dwelling to First Tee – Central Carolina, a nationwide youth growth program utilizing the sport of golf to create life-changing alternatives for native youth on and off the course. It additionally has the excellence of being the primary course in North Carolina to supply PGA HOPE (Serving to Our Patriots In every single place), a nationwide program leveraging golf to reinforce the wellbeing of active-duty army and veterans and is without doubt one of the solely programs within the Triad catering to gamers with spinal accidents and disabilities by way of adaptive gear and free packages.

To be taught extra concerning the Greensboro Six Mural Venture at Gillespie Golf Course, go to FirstTeeCentralCarolina.org/Mural-Venture.

About The Metropolis of Greensboro

Constructed across the core values of respect, inclusiveness, security, innovation and sustainability, the mission of the Metropolis of Greensboro is to form an inclusive future for equitable financial alternative and sustainable, secure neighborhoods by way of resident targeted companies and packages. The Greensboro Parks and Recreation Division exists to offer skilled and various leisure alternatives by way of inclusive packages, amenities, parks, and open area, guaranteeing that Greensboro is a fascinating place to work, stay, and play. Be taught extra at Greensboro-NC.gov.

About First Tee Central Carolina

First Tee – Central Carolina is a youth growth group that permits youngsters to construct the energy of character that empowers them by way of a lifetime of recent challenges. Utilizing golf and life abilities as our instruments, we offer youngsters alternatives on and off the course they could by no means have in any other case. We’re energetic all through the Triad area, and particularly targeted on serving the East Greensboro and East Winston-Salem communities. Be taught extra at FirstTeeCentralCarolina.org.

About The Wyndham Championship

Contested yearly on the Donald Ross-designed course at Sedgefield Nation Membership in Greensboro, N.C., the Wyndham Championship was based in 1938 and is the seventh-oldest occasion on the PGA TOUR, excluding the Majors. The event thanks title sponsor Wyndham Rewards and presenting sponsor Truist for his or her continued help. Extra event info is accessible at WyndhamChampionship.com and the event’s social media channels (@WyndhamChamp) on Fb, X, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.

About Wyndham Inns & Resorts

Wyndham Inns & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest lodge franchising firm by the variety of properties, with roughly 9,200 inns throughout over 95 international locations on six continents. By its community of roughly 872,000 rooms interesting to the on a regular basis traveler, Wyndham instructions a number one presence within the financial system and midscale segments of the lodging business. The Firm operates a portfolio of 24 lodge manufacturers, together with Tremendous 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Assortment® and Wyndham®. The Firm’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program presents over 106 million enrolled members the chance to redeem factors at 1000’s of inns, trip membership resorts and trip leases globally. For extra info, go to www.wyndhamhotels.com.

The Firm might use its web site as a way of exposing materials private info and for complying with its disclosure obligations beneath Regulation FD. Disclosures of this nature will probably be included on the Firm’s web site within the Traders part, which may at present be accessed at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. Accordingly, traders ought to monitor this part of the Firm’s web site along with following the Firm’s press releases, filings submitted with the Securities and Alternate Fee and any public convention calls or webcasts.

About Wyndham Rewards

Named the primary lodge rewards program by readers of USA TODAY, Wyndham Rewards® is the world’s most beneficiant rewards program with greater than 50,000 inns, trip membership resorts and trip leases worldwide.

Designed for the on a regular basis traveller, members earn a assured 1,000 factors with each certified keep and will redeem factors for a variety of rewards, together with free nights at any of the roughly 9,100 inns or tens of 1000’s of trip membership resorts and trip leases globally by way of affiliation with Wyndham Locations and others. Wyndham Rewards has over 103 million enrolled members globally. Be part of totally free at this time at www.wyndhamrewards.com. You’ve got earned this. ®