Honoring a Community Through Art

A group of seven people standing in front of a colorful mural depicting historical figures and a church. Some paint cans are visible on the ground. The mural and trees cast shadows on the pavement.

History Brought to Life

DAC has proudly called West Rehoboth home since 2016. In partnership with West Side New Beginnings, Inc., we commissioned the West Rehoboth Legacy Mural — a large-scale public artwork unveiled in 2022 to honor the community’s rich but often overlooked Black, Brown, and African American history.

Painted by nationally recognized artist Terrance Vann, a descendant of the community, the mural lives at the corner of Malloy Street and Central Avenue and serves as a lasting tribute to the generations who shaped West Rehoboth.

In collaboration with descendants, local volunteers, and West Side New Beginnings, DAC is developing a permanent mounted infographic to share historical context and stories alongside the mural. This project has become a catalyst for cultural preservation and education — celebrating heritage and building community pride through public art.

Our West Rehoboth Legacy Projects

West Rehoboth Legacy Mural
The West Rehoboth Legacy Mural celebrates and preserves the largely unknown Black, brown, and African American history of West Rehoboth, fostering pride and cultural awareness.
West Rehoboth Juneteenth Celebration
We proudly host a powerful day of reflection, joy, and unity in the heart of historic West Rehoboth as we commemorate Juneteenth—the pivotal moment in U.S. history when the last enslaved people were freed. This inaugural event honors the Black heritage of Rehoboth Beach and celebrates the vibrant culture and rich history of our community.
Partnering with West Side New Beginnings Inc.
DAC proudly attends board meetings and supports West Sid New Beginnings, a small community organization in West Rehoboth that has transformed the community since the 90’s. We work to elevate the exisiting 24 families who still live in the community.

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Discover the Story of West Rehoboth

Below is the infographic highlighting the powerful and often untold history of West Rehoboth’s Black, Brown, and African American community. While you can view it here, we encourage you to experience it in person — where it was meant to be seen.

Visit the West Rehoboth Legacy Mural, located next to DAC’s headquarters at:
37401 Malloy Street, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

The mural and infographic together tell a story of resilience, culture, and legacy.

Want to take a piece of history with you?
Download the infographic and explore the roots of this remarkable community.

Download the Infographic

2025 West Rehoboth Juneteenth Celebration

Meet Our West Rehoboth Partners

Terrance Vann - Mural Artist
Terrance is an award winning muralist , designer and fine artist who is born and raised in Delaware with rich family history in West Reboboth. His paintings have inspired many and his murals have become landmarks and gathering spots to celebrate creativity. Terrance has since taken time away as artist and moved upstate Ny, to raise his family of 2 daughters.
Antoine Vann - Project Historian
February 21, 2020, Antoine Vann and Terrance Vann displayed photographs, artwork and documentation at the Rehoboth Beach Museum with detailed history of records they found about the history of West Rehoboth. Given Antoine's dedication and ability to collect historical information about the community he was chosen at the Historian for the collection of information for the mural project.
Brenda Milbourne - President WSNB, Inc.
Brenda Millbourne is a trusted leader and key partner in DAC’s relationship with the historic West Rehoboth community. Brenda has continued to guide DAC in building meaningful connections and culturally responsive programs. Brenda’s leadership and deep ties in the community make her an essential voice in our work to honor local history, uplift artists, and build with intention.
Leah Beach - Founder DAC
The idea for the mural began after Leah attended an exhibition at the Rehoboth Beach Museum, hosted by Terrance Vann and Antoine Vann which explored their family’s deep roots in the West Rehoboth community. Inspired by their story, Leah worked to bring the vision to life — starting with a blank wall and a big purpose. Leah continues to lead fundraising, project coordination, and partner collaboration to ensure this meaningful work carries forward for generations to come.
Wharton’s Garden Center & Landscaping
Since 2021, Wharton’s has generously supported the West Rehoboth Legacy Mural by donating professional landscaping services, mulch, and plants that bring the mural site to life. Kathy and James Wharton, along with their dedicated team, have poured their time, talent, and resources into this project. Their generosity and hard work have been instrumental in transforming the space — and the mural wouldn’t be as powerful or beautiful without them.

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In Loving Memory of Diaz Bonville

Diaz Bonville was a pillar of the West Rehoboth community — a lifelong advocate, mentor, and leader whose impact continues to resonate through the Legacy Mural project and beyond. As President of West Side New Beginnings, Diaz was deeply committed to preserving the history and uplifting the future of West Rehoboth.

From the earliest conversations to the final brushstrokes, Diaz played a vital role in bringing the mural to life. His leadership, vision, and dedication helped ensure the project was rooted in authenticity, respect, and community voice. He served as a trusted liaison, guiding DAC with grace and determination every step of the way.

Diaz dedicated his life to service — in education, civil rights, youth development, and community empowerment. His work earned recognition at every level, but his greatest impact was felt in the lives he touched and the legacy he leaves behind. The West Rehoboth Legacy Mural stands not only as a tribute to a community’s past — but as a reflection of Diaz’s lifelong mission to build a more connected, compassionate future.

We are proud of this work.

And we’re just getting started. This project is what happens when you allow an Artists to elevate a community. Terrance created this mural and the ripple effect has been massive. This mural represents so much more than paint on a wall. It reflects the strength, history, and resilience of the West Rehoboth community — and we are honored to have played a role in preserving that legacy.

We are deeply proud of this work and fully committed to its future. As we continue to build on this momentum, we're working to install a bike rack, distribute printed infographic booklets, and expand community programming that celebrates and uplifts this vital history.

This project is a beginning — not an ending. And we're dedicated to growing it with the care, collaboration, and respect it deserves.