Quinta Brunson Honored with Key to the City and Abbott Elementary-Inspired Mural

Before she captured hearts as Janine Teagues on ABC’s hit show Abbott Elementary, Quinta Brunson was walking the very hallways of Philadelphia’s Andrew Hamilton School, the elementary school that would later inspire her Emmy-winning series. Now, in a full-circle celebration of her roots, Brunson is being honored with the key to the city of Philadelphia and will help unveil a new mural at her alma mater, Variety reports.

"I am so grateful to be receiving the key to my hometown, Philly," Brunson shared. "This city shaped me—and now I get to give back with a mural that celebrates all it gave me. I am truly honored."

Blooming Futures: A Mural of Legacy and Inspiration

The mural, titled Blooming Futures, is set to be unveiled on Wednesday, May 28th. Created by Philadelphia artist Athena Scott, the project brings together students and staff from Andrew Hamilton School to co-create a visual tribute that goes beyond paint on a wall. It symbolizes a thriving community where educators act as stewards nurturing young minds, much like the gardeners tending a vibrant plot of growth.

"The new mural highlights the allegory of the school as a garden, with the tenacious educators serving as stewards of a fertile and growing student population," the official announcement reads. In a poetic twist, the same neighborhood school that inspired a primetime sitcom now becomes the canvas for a tribute honoring its most famous former student (Philadelphia Inquirer, 2025).

Celebrating Education, Art, and Community

Jane Golden, executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, spoke to the deeper significance of the tribute:
"Art has the power to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future. Blooming Futures beautifully captures the spirit of Abbott Elementary and the enduring impact of dedicated educators like those at Andrew Hamilton School. Quinta Brunson’s work is a powerful love letter to the city of Philadelphia, and we are deeply grateful for her unwavering commitment to inspiring young people, uplifting our city, and supporting Mural Arts Philadelphia."

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, who will present Brunson with the key to the city, added:
"The City of Philadelphia is beyond grateful to have someone as inspiring and compassionate as Quinta Brunson. She doesn’t just represent the spirit of Philadelphia on television; she brings her success home and shares it with the city that loves her back."

Backed by Mural Arts and the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, and co-produced by the Office of the City Representative and Special Events under Jazelle Jones, the celebration honors more than a TV star—it honors a hometown hero who has never forgotten her roots.

As generations of students walk past Blooming Futures, they will see more than a colorful wall—they will see proof that dreams nurtured with care and dedication can flourish. Quinta Brunson’s story is a living reminder that talent, perseverance, and love for one’s community can bloom together, inspiring countless young Philadelphians to reach for their own futures.