A journey for freedom. A fight to remain.
A legacy that lives on.
The Marin City Bus Shelter Art Project honors the powerful story of Black Americans who journeyed west during the Great Migration—leaving behind the deep segregation of the Jim Crow South during World War II in search of opportunity, dignity, and a better life.
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Drawn by the promise of jobs at Marinship, one of the country’s largest wartime shipyards, thousands of families arrived in Marin County with hope in their hearts and strength in their hands. They built ships. They moved into their new homes. They built a new community—Marin City.
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But even here, far from the South, racism persisted. Black residents faced discrimination, housing barriers, and efforts to displace them after the war ended. Still, they stayed. They organized. They fought for the right to remain—and to thrive.
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Today, Marin City stands as a testament to that courage and resilience. Through vibrant murals and community storytelling, this project transforms everyday bus shelters into public landmarks—telling the often-overlooked story of a people who shaped Marin County against all odds.
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Explore the art. Witness the legacy. Celebrate the journey.
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Come to the Unveiling Celebration!
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Celebrate Marin City’s history with a self-guided bus shelter tour, artist meet-and-greet, local legends, family art activities, a 1945 Greyhound bus experience, BBQ, and entertainment. A free community event for all ages!
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Thursday, April 17, 2025, 4 pm
Meet at the Marin Transit Hub on Donahue Street
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Download the Self-Guided Tour Map
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Oral Histories: Voices That Built Marin City
These oral histories share the lived experiences of Black families who came to Marin City during World War II, escaping Jim Crow laws in the South to work at Marinship and build new lives. Through their voices, we hear stories of resilience, resistance, and pride—capturing the fight to remain in Marin City and the enduring legacy of a community that shaped the county’s history.
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Listen deeply. Carry their stories forward.
Mrs. Annie Small and Mrs. Rodessa Battle were trailblazing women whose lives helped shape the legacy of Marin City. Both worked as skilled welders at the Marinship shipyard during WWII, part of a generation of Black women who stepped into industrial roles to support the war effort. Mrs. Small, a lifelong community leader, is featured in Marinship Memories and was honored with numerous awards for her contributions to local church and civic life. Mrs. Battle, who migrated from Louisiana in the 1940s, later became one of San Francisco’s first Black female trolley conductors. In a rare recorded conversation, these two remarkable women reflect on their experiences as welders, the bonds formed during the war, and their hopes for future generations.
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Mr. Joseph James
During Word War II, Joseph James led the Black Marinship workers in a fight for equal rights and benefits from their labor union. His efforts culminated in the historic 1944 California Supreme Court case that outlawed racial discrimination by labor unions.
Rev. Leon Samuels worked as a welder at the Marinship shipyard during WWII. He ran his own janitorial business after the war, was deeply involved in community building in Marin City, and became an ordained minister in 1987.
Instructional Materials: Learn, Reflect, Teach
These resources are designed to support educators, students, and community members in exploring the history of Marin City—its roots in the Great Migration, the legacy of Marinship, and the ongoing fight for racial equity.
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Use these materials to spark conversation, deepen understanding, and bring local history to life in classrooms and beyond.​​
James Shields is an artist, designer, and educator, based in Oakland, CA. Specializing in illustrations, murals, soft sculpture, and coloring books, his journey into art began after being laid off from his corporate job following his graduation from Howard University. In 2009, he decided to pursue his passion for art as his “real job,” a turning point that led him through a rich tapestry of professional and personal experiences.
