Her elementary school will also unveil an Abbott Elementarynspired mural!
Before Quinta Brunson captured hearts as Janine Teagues, the ever-hopeful teacher in ABC’s Abbott Elementary, she was a student in the Philly hallways that would inspire the hit show. Now, the Emmy-winning creator and star is being honored in a full-circle moment—receiving the key to the city she’s always carried with her, and helping unveil a mural at her elementary school alma mater, Andrew Hamilton School, Variety reports.
“I am so grateful to be receiving the key to my hometown, Philly,” Brunson said. “This city shaped me—and now I get to give back with a mural that celebrates all it gave me. I am truly honored.”
Set to be celebrated on Wednesday, May 28th, the day marks a homecoming layered with love, legacy, and art. The mural—titled Blooming Futures—was dreamed up by Philadelphia artist Athena Scott and brought to life with the voices of Hamilton’s students and staff. More than paint on a wall, it’s a reflection of a community that continues to nurture brilliance.
“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,” reads the official announcement. In a poetic twist, the same neighborhood school that inspired a primetime sitcom now becomes the backdrop for a tribute honoring its most famous former student.
Jane Golden, executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, spoke to the heart 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, shared, “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 led by Jazelle Jones, the celebration isn’t just for a TV star—it’s for a hometown hero who never forgot where she came from.
As generations of students walk past Blooming Futures, they’ll see more than a mural. They’ll see the proof that their dreams can bloom too.
Cover photo: Quinta Brunson to Receive Keys to Hometown City of Philadelphia/Photo credit: Getty Images