Growing up in a time of segregation, African American artist Jameel Rasheed experienced racism "at its best". Decades later he has become an internationally acclaimed artist, paving the way for a new generation of blacks.

"I am just scratching the surface, because I have not got to the point of a comfort zone," he told The Royal Gazette. "All I can honestly say is that I am a little beyond the struggling aspects and recognised as an internationally acclaimed fine artist, I have given something to society that has become a part of history."

Mr. Rasheed, best known for his portrait of historic figure Rosa Parks, was on the Island on August 17 sharing his works, and was being represented by local public relations and marketing firm, Integrated Global Management.

Though the artist has achieved much success within the art world, he told The Royal Gazette about his less appealing introduction to the industry in the late 1960s.

At the age of 19, Mr. Rasheed, born Howard Badgett, had been integrated into a predominately white high school in the Boston area.

He had been interested in art since he was a young boy and decided to enter the Boston Globe's prestigious art contest, submitting a graphite illustration of a hanging coat, entitled 'Relaxation'.

Though up against many other students, he placed third in the contest and was set to receive a four-year-scholarship to a renowned art institution in Little Rock, Arkansas.

However, things suddenly took a turn for the worse when it was revealed he was black.

"Unfortunately my parents didn't know, didn't explore what could be done about them coming to the school, discovering I'm black and leaving it up to the principal to tell me that maybe it wouldn't be in the best interest to have a black person in an all-white school," he said.

"They not only revoked the idea of my entrance to the art institute, but they revoked the scholarship and that's where it was criminal, and had my parents known what to do it could have been a major lawsuit.

"I felt dumbfounded to say the least because, at that point, it was my first introduction to racism at its best. I pretty much had my hands tied because of the lack of knowledge and ignorance of the law and pretty much had it just swept under the table."

After the experience, Mr. Rasheed no longer believed the art industry was an avenue he should travel and spent the next 25 years dabbling in fashion as a model and designer.

His path eventually led him back to art, but this time around he had a better grip on racism. He began focusing his work on African images: from legendary African Americans to African warriors, nobility and wildlife.

And in 1994, a life-changing opportunity presented itself to him, he was commissioned by the City of Lynwood to create a work in honour of the historic champion of equal rights, Rosa Parks.

For those who don't know, Rosa Parks earned her status as a legendary African American figure in 1955, after she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus.

Mr. Rasheed admitted he was blessed to work on the piece, entitled 'Quiet Courage', and believes it has taken on a life of its own. "If ever there was a piece that I know has made an impression, an impact, it was this piece," he said.

"The fact that I was blessed to meet her and have her sign it and give it a sense of importance has certainly taken my interest as well as my reasoning for becoming an artist to another level of appreciation."

His portrait of Rosa Parks now hangs in many prominent rooms throughout the US, including: Troy University's Rosa Parks Library & Museum in Montgomery, Alabama and at the City Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. It is also nominated to become a US Postal Stamp.

"I found it to be ironic that at that time in her life they would be just then giving her accolades and just due," Mr. Rasheed said.

"She should have been given (recognition) at least in her 50s or 60s, so she could travel the world with her mindset in place and her energy level up and just appreciate what she had accomplished. But at 82, her every waking hour they were jamming a microphone in her mouth, asking her 'what do you think', 'how do you feel', she could barely stand up. I was just appalled that they would wait that long." Luckily, Mr. Rasheed has had a different fate. "I feel blessed that I am able to acquire some of the accolades and some of the appreciation for what I am doing to make history while I am still relatively young, to the point where I can enjoy it and more importantly while I am still alive," he said.

"In most case you have to be dead and stinking before they say 'this man should get his proper due as an artist'."

Despite all the obstacles he has faced, Mr. Rasheed has paved the way for a new generation of African Americans in the art world.

"We are the Picassos and Van Goghs of today, because our history is continuing to be written," he said. "When I was attending school we didn't have these artists that we are just now starting to learn about. I had to do research on my own about the African American artists that were also prominent at that time, as they were not in the history books as we know them today."

Though Mr. Rasheed has made great strides in the art world, he still believes that some improvements could be made, particularly when it comes to people of colour getting the recognition they deserve.

He said: "I think there's still racism because as African Americans, or people of colour, we still have to go way beyond the call of duty to get acknowledgement for our deeds.

"There is enough negativity about black people. I would like to be one of the artists contributing in preserving our legends and historic figures while they are still with us. It is also important to me with people with such a rich history to start becoming a living example to our children, so our children can see that they can become and do whatever they choose if they seriously apply themselves."