Transforming trauma into art: Anjanette Young’s story reframed in Black Creativity Exhibition

The 2019 wrongful police raid on Anjanette Young’s Chicago home, where officers forcibly entered the wrong address, left a profound and lasting impact on her life.

The traumatic event, which left Young— a social worker—feeling vulnerable and deeply shaken, sparked widespread public outrage and fueled conversations about justice and accountability.

Now, that painful chapter has been reimagined as a compelling art piece featured in the Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.

The backstory:

At about 7 p.m. on Feb. 21, 2019, a search warrant was executed in the 100 block of North Hermitage.

Anjanette Young, a social worker, was getting ready for bed when several officers stormed into her apartment and handcuffed her while she was naked. 

The city’s law department said Young was naked for 16 seconds, but the covering officers put on her kept falling off before she was allowed to get dressed several minutes later.

It was determined that the search warrant was executed at the wrong location and the entire incident was caught on body-worn camera.

Young could be heard repeatedly telling officers that they were in fact at the wrong location.

Dig deeper:

The incident garnered widespread attention and sparked a conversation about justice and accountability.

That experience has now been transformed into art, showcased in the Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.

Artist Osei Agyeman-Badu created a piece titled Grace from Disgrace, depicting Young as a Ghanaian Queen Mother. The two-sided door sculpture, crafted over 100 hours, symbolizes reclaiming dignity and strength.

"After watching the video, I thought about how to make this less traumatizing," Agyeman-Badu said. "I decided to portray her as royalty to restore her dignity."

The exhibition also includes a tribute to Breonna Taylor, featuring fire, acrylics, and traditional Ghanaian Kente cloth to illustrate themes of resilience and tragedy.

The exhibition also features a tribute to Breonna Taylor, using fire, acrylics, and traditional Kente cloth from Ghana, illustrating themes of tragedy and resilience. 

This year’s Black Creativity Exhibition opened on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and showcases over 100 pieces of art from artists across the country, half of whom are based in Chicago.

What they're saying:

For Young, the exhibit is more than art—it’s a statement. 

"When you Google me, don't just see the settlement. Understand the depth of being wrongly raided," Young said. "This art educates and brings light to these experiences."

"This is the longest continuously running art exhibit of Black artists in the country," said Manny Juarez, Senior Director of Creativity & Innovation Programs at the Griffin Museum. "It began in 1970 and continues to celebrate Black artistry."

What's next:

The Black Creativity Exhibition runs through April 27, inviting visitors to engage with art that tells impactful stories and uplifts voices often marginalized in history and society.

The Source: Information provided by the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and interviews with featured artists and Anjanette Young.

ChicagoNews