Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that Jill Scott did not finish her time at Girls High because her family couldn’t afford the tuition. She actually missed 49 days due to transportation issues. Updated 6/4/24 at 2:10 p.m.ET
Suggested Reading
Jill Scott is an artist who is universally loved by Black folks. If someone tells you they don’t care for her music, you should immediately remove yourself from that situation. From “Golden,” to “The Way,” to “Hate on Me” and countless others, her music has gotten us through the ups and downs of life.
During a recent trip back to her hometown in North Philadelphia, the singer/actress received her well-deserved flowers in the form of Jill Scott Day, where the design for a mural featuring her was revealed at her alma mater, Philadelphia High School for Girls a.k.a. Girls High.
According to WHYY, the mural is designed by visual artist Patrick Dougher in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia. It depicts “Scott wearing a golden crown, and depicts her passing on replicas of her crown to Girls High scholars. The Latin phrase ‘vincit qui se vincit’ is placed under Scott and translates to ‘He (she) conquers who conquers himself (herself).’”
“I didn’t see it coming,” a teary Scott said.
The “First Wives Club” star missed 49 days of school due to issues with transportation. Her commitment to education led her to award four scholarships to high school graduates through her Blue’s Babe Foundation.
“I was very much a ‘Girls High’ girl. It meant a lot for me to go here, [so] to not walk with the other girls, it broke my heart and I had to figure out life, what am I going to do now,” she said.
Scott certainly figured it out. From singing to acting, she’s never put herself or her art in a box. It’s always special when someone who’s impacted the culture the way she has is honored for their undeniable influence.
“My life is this incredible testimony of setbacks that generated the most beautiful life I can ever imagine,” she said.
The mural, which will be located on the Broad Street side of Girls High, will be officially dedicated in October.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.