Born and raised in Indianapolis, Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor, 1878–1932, became a professional cyclist at 18 and set several world records, becoming the first African American to win a cycling world championship in 1899. Son of two artists on the South Side of Chicago, Max Sansing discovered art early and before pursuing formal training he joined several graffiti crews and taught himself oil painting. Applying his "distinct aesthetic fusing the color-drenched dynamism of street art with the technical elegance of photorealism" Sansing is deeply committed to supporting Chicago youth with his art and when @PowWowWorcester turned their attention to transforming schools in Worcester, MA Sansing was there to help. “Major Taylor is a hero in Chicago and here in Worcester,” Sansing told @WBUR as he created this inspirational figure for the children of Worcester's Chandler Elementary Community School. @maxsansing/