Welcome Braves
We commissioned this mural by Muhammad Yungai to bring a moment from Downtown history to life at The American Hotel. Muhammad's incredibly intricate mural captures the Atlanta Braves' first-ever Opening Day in Atlanta in 1966. The occasion was celebrated with a massive downtown parade where fans lined Peachtree Street as legends like Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews rode by in shiny convertibles, marking the arrival of Major League Baseball in the city. The parade ended at the American Hotel, Atlanta's first racially integrated hotel, which ensured all players were welcomed equally during a time of deep racial tension. Sixty years later, as the Braves celebrate their Atlanta legacy, this mural honors both a milestone in sports history and the city's ongoing commitment to progress.
Muhammad Yungai is a self-taught professional muralist from New Orleans, LA and based in Atlanta, GA. His work can be found gracing several walls in both cities. As a former art educator, Yungai has a special passion for creating school murals that inspire students and make the educational experience warmer and brighter for them and their teachers.