“Love is power,” said Mizz Mercedez—and for anyone who’s watched her work in the Rondo community, it’s clear she lives by those words.
Appearing on The Conversation with Al McFarlane on KFAI 90.3FM ahead of Rondo Days 2025, Mizz Mercedez didn’t just reflect on her heritage—she reaffirmed her mission: preserving Rondo’s past while shaping its future. As the Community Engagement Director of 825 Arts, she serves as both steward and storyteller, ensuring that the neighborhood’s legacy remains rooted in the hands of its people.
“We were a community’s dream,” she said, recalling how the historic building at 825 University Avenue was saved from demolition.
Fifteen years ago, the installation of the light rail at University and Victoria sparked resistance among Rondo-Frogtown residents. At the time, Model Cities planned to purchase and demolish the building to create a parking lot. But the community stood up.
“The community members said, ‘No, this is a hundred-year-old building. We want an art center.’”
Through that collective resistance, the building was preserved and ultimately designated a historic landmark. Still, no funding followed. “So for the past 15 years, we’ve been raising money,” she said. “And finally, last year on August 25—8/25—we had our grand opening.”
Formerly known as the Victoria Theater Arts Center, the renaming to 825 Arts was a purposeful act of cultural reclamation.
“Queen Victoria was not a reflection of our community. That name came from colonialism and racism—that’s not us,” she explained.
Extensive community engagement followed. Suggestions like “Rondo Arts Center” and “Frondo” (a blend of Frogtown and Rondo) were proposed. But after three months of input, one name rose to the top.
“825 Arts is what won,” she said. “And I loved it—because the community is diversifying.”
The new name wasn’t just symbolic; it was transformative.
“A lot of other cultures don’t even realize their everyday practices are art—because to them, it’s just culture,” she said. “But now, under 825 Arts, we’re saying: ‘No. What you’re doing is art.’ We showcase art 825 different ways. Which means everything.”
Since opening, the center has hosted events like Roosevelt Mansfield’s Living Legends of Rondo exhibit—testament to the vision Mercedez and her community fought for.
“I’m very intentional about making sure that this building is where the community’s dreams come true.”
For her, the mission is personal. She lives on Central Ave., the same block her great-grandmother, Durie Mae Yarbrough, once lived.
“Her house was where people who migrated came for food, shelter, to get their hair done… She was a caregiver. And now, to be doing this work on the same block—it means everything to me.”
Mercedez is determined that artists from her community not only be seen, but respected.
“Too often we get invited into spaces, our work gets used, but our voices don’t. They highlight us in the program, but they don’t support us how we need to be supported.”
Looking forward, her vision remains grounded in legacy, youth, and imagination. Whether it’s her Rondo-based comic books or youth-centered programs, the goal is clear: make history something young people can feel and live.
“I want kids to read the book and know they can experience it in real life,” she said. “You are the author of your life. You get to write what happens next. Just like I wrote this book—and now I’m making it real—you can too.”
As Rondo continues to evolve, Mizz Mercedez is making sure its spirit doesn’t fade with time.
“Once I realized love is power—it changed everything,” she said. “Just show love. Love your community. Love your neighbor. Love your family. And it’ll bring power to whatever you’re doing.”
