The mural is composed of 18 distinct pieces by different artists in their own style, but that all coalesce in a single work with common thematic elements, such as contrasting colors and geometric shapes.

Then, beginning in the 1950s, the city of Indianapolis undertook a campaign of uprooting Indiana Ave's Black populace in a forced redevelopment plan that Wildstyle Paschall of New America describes as "ethnic cleansing".

Around this time, Indy10, the local Black Lives Matter organizing group in Indianapolis, began planning for the possibility of a street mural in the city.

[6] On July 13, 2020, the Indianapolis City-County Council passed a resolution, with 21 of 25 councillors in favor—every Democrat supporting and every Republican opposing—directing the painting of "Black Lives Matter" on Indiana Ave, calling it "an anti-racist message".

[9] Artists were paid fees for their work by funding provided by Tamika Catchings, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame player for the Indiana Fever.

[10] Soon after the council resolution, Indy10, working with local arts advocates Stacia Moon, Mali Jeffers and Alan Bacon, put out a call to the community seeking artists for the mural, as well as performers for the event when it would be painted.

The weekend of the painting, Indiana Ave was closed, and community groups organized a public festival with speakers, music, and spoken word performances.