This essay was first published in 2019 in “The Milwaukee Anthology,” a nonfiction and poetry collection new from Belt Publishing. The anthology is available in fine bookstores throughout southeastern Wisconsin as well as at www.beltpublishing.com.  “Together We Rise”: on Painting the Community Mural, “Sherman Park Rising” by Tia Richardson “ It felt heavy, and while we were helping it didn't feel as big. It's deeper than what I thought it was.” Gabri-El Taylor Bey, Sherman Park Resident, mural participant This is what I heard after I sat down with residents to watch a short film documenting their experience working with me on a community mural called 'Sherman Park Rising'. After working on the film with co-producer Andy Gralton and putting the pieces together, watching it with them revealed a larger story behind the individual ones they each brought to the mural. “ I didn't realize I was a part of something bigger.” Charmane Perry, Safe and Sound L...