Image of young Omaha girl, fist in the air, inspires ‘The HOPE Project’

When Watie White liked an Instagram image by Anthony T. Peña back in February, neither artist knew that a simple heart emoji would lead to Omaha’s newest, brightest, biggest piece of public art.

Installed on the Millwork Commons building on the corner of 13th and Nicholas Streets in north downtown, the glowing yellow mural features a stylized drawing of 7-year-old Zuri Jensen, fist held high, holding a sign emblazoned with one simple word in capital letters: HOPE.