CommUNITY mural unveiled in Mason City

(ABC 6 News) – A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday in Mason City to celebrate the Building CommUNITY mural that was completed last month.

Building CommUNITY is an initiative of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce to highlight the inclusive spirit of North Iowans.

According to the 2020 US Census, the diversity of Mason City’s population stands at 93.17% white…but Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion impact more than race and ethnicity, and with little racial diversity, North Iowa is striving to be more welcoming to ALL kinds of people.

RELATED: Ribbon cutting planned for Mason City Building CommUNITY mural

That’s what prompted this mural. Part of an effort by the Chamber of commerce to make the city more diverse and inclusive.

"This location is at the gateway to downtown. We really wanted to use a mural to launch our diversity equity and inclusion effort that we position as a workforce attraction strategy. We just need to be more welcoming to all kinds of people," said Mason City Chamber of Commerce President Robin Anderson.

The artist is also a member of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce.

She says the mural was a community effort and she couldn’t have done it alone. More than 100 volunteers pitched in to help.