Killian Nutting, 11, loves art. He’s also passionate about fairness and equality. He recently decided to combine the two and create a powerful image of a rainbow combined with the title Black Lives Matter. His mother Patty Grandfield was so impressed with the artwork that she made copies of the poster and sold them online for $5 each, raising $700 for the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley in Springfield.

“I was really happy to hear that we raised $700. I want people to appreciate the Black culture,” said Nutting, who is white.

The Healing Institute works to build a racism-free community through its two-day seminars. Nutting chose to support the institute because he believes fervently in its mission of fairness for all.

“I like that they teach that Black people are not treated nice in this country and its wrong because everybody should be treated the same. I’m proud of myself because people actually bought the posters and cared,” said Nutting.

Grandfield is a single mother of three children. She says she has “age-appropriate” conversations with her children about fairness and compassion, and the message has resonated more than she could have imagined with Killian.

“It’s important to me that people recognize the need for change and the need for compassion and equality. For my son who’s 11 to come out on his own with that mindset and try to raise awareness for the need to heal racism blows me away. I’m beyond proud,” she says.

A conversation about racism in America and the need to heal brings tears to Killian, who stops frequently to collect his thoughts.

“He’s always been a compassionate kid standing up for equality and people who are not being treated fairly,” says Killian’s mother. “Equality and equity are important to him. He’s very passionate about that. He was touched very deeply by some of the events of last year and he wanted to try to do something so he came up with the idea making and selling those posters so he could donate the money that he raised to a local community charity.”

The Healing Institute was surprised and delighted that Killian would think of them for his donation. They now have a special friend in this special young man, says Vanessa Otero, the institute’s director.

“We’re honored that such a unique boy was even thinking about this and wanting to take action. I got to meet him and he’s a sweet, wonderful boy. It’s an inspiring, powerful story,” she says. “He’ll always be a part of us for his courage and his ability to take action.”

Nutting loves art and the powerful way it delivers his message. He’s using it to make a difference in the world, and in his community. “I feel like everyone should be treated equally and I get upset when they’re not,” he says. “I think art is a good way for me to express my feelings. I’m trying to stop racism and people bought the posters to help my cause. I’m proud of that.”

Credit: Masslive.com