With Legacy’s help, young artist captures Good in the Hood

 

Once again, Legacy Health is sponsoring Good In The Hood, the three-day event that celebrates cultural diversity while also raising scholarship money for racially diverse college students.

This year Legacy partnered with Emmanuel “Manny” Calvin Dempsey, a gifted artist from the community. Manny designed an eye-catching design for Legacy employees to wear as they march in the event’s parade. His heart-shaped depiction of friends and community members emulates the vibrant love that surrounds Good in the Hood, one of the largest group gatherings in Oregon and just one of dozens that Legacy will help sponsor this year. His colorful, mural-style design gels together the event’s feel-good vibes, musical energy and Legacy’s mission of good health for all.

Though he’s only 15 years-old, Manny’s been making art since he was a toddler. While watching cartoons, Manny got inspired to create his own characters. Over time, he developed a personal group of familiar characters drawn from family and friends, characters he affectionately calls “my bros.” Manny’s talent quickly developed into a serious one: In 2017, he was one of the first child artists selected for the Portland Trail Blazers Gameday Poster Series. Two years later, Manny was asked by the Friends of Baseball to create an interpretative image of Josh Gibson, a catcher in the Negro leagues and one of the baseball’s greatest players. This year, Manny’s artwork was featured at the Holy Beanz Coffee Shop in the Alberta Arts District. The coffee shop is owned by Black female and first-time entrepreneur Shalimar Williams.