For most students, spring break means relaxing at home or with friends. Instead of taking a vacation, the high school sophomores in JPMorgan Chase’s program, The Fellowship Initiative (TFI), used their spring breaks to engage in learning activities designed to help them discover new talents, build their skills, and deepen connections to their JPMorgan Chase mentors.
 
Through a partnership with Groundswell, the TFI Fellows participated in conversations about what it means to be successful, and how to achieve their personal and professional goals. Two teams created two murals in New York, and another two teams painted two more murals in Los Angeles. All of the art was developed and painted by the TFI Fellows, under the direction of the Groundswell artists. This project provided the TFI Fellows with opportunities to hone their research, observation, analysis, and collaboration skills. TFI mentors contributed to early brainstorm sessions by discussing strategies for achieving goals, focusing on personal growth, and being successful in today’s competitive economy.
 
The Los Angeles team led by Angel Garcia created “Reciprocity.” The overall shape of the mural design is the shape of an infinity symbol. The artist team chose this shape to represent the idea of giving back and helping each other once success is achieved. The stairs represent the steps needed to achieve one's goals. The tool materializing from the boy’s head is cutting a rope that has a weight tied to the end of it. This represents the overcoming of both mental and physical obstacles on their way to success. The rope is tied at the other end to a pair of wings that surrounds the main figure’s head.