Belonging

I have been inspired by the murals in the neighborhood since the beginning and am  honored to have been chosen create one. It is my first.  This mural was derived from a sketch I did.  My daughter and I have a practice of making art together.  It has brought me great joy and connection.  I have learned so much from her and am grateful for the time she gifts me.  She encouraged me to step beyond my comfort zone and apply for this opportunity.  I am grateful for her belief in me.

This work is a tribute to belonging—how we find it, build it, and share it. I hope it inspires others to reflect on their own journeys, and to recognize the power of community in helping us all grow roots.

I was born in Nairobi, Kenya to Goan parents. Though I now consider myself proudly American, my sense of identity has been shaped by displacement and the search for belonging. For many years, I felt like a person without a country. In Kenya, I was considered an outsider because I was not Black, despite being born there. Later, changes to birthright citizenship laws left me stateless. Without a passport, I needed a visa to go anywhere—a reality that shaped how I see borders, nations, and what it means to belong. These experiences connect me deeply to the current debates around immigration in the United States.

After years of moving through the world feeling unrooted, I found home in Salem, Massachusetts. This community welcomed me, and for the first time, I feel like I belong somewhere. My children have roots here, and my greatest hope is that they carry forward the legacy of feeling grounded, safe, and part of something bigger. Feeling rooted is essential to growth, and that belief is at the heart of this mural.

The imagery in my mural is a personal tapestry of identity, migration, and community. The benches by the sea represent one of my favorite parts of Salem—places where strangers and friends alike sit, talk, and connect. These benches, some with the flags of my countries of origin, honor the many conversations and connections I’ve had with people from all backgrounds. They remind me that belonging often begins with a shared moment.

They are also a tribute to The House of Seven Gables where I work.  I am so thankful to work in an inclusive and welcoming place which strives to “provide meaningful support for new immigrants, challenge misleading narratives that limit their opportunities, and empower them to write their own pages in our ongoing American story.”

The three figures on the island represent dear friends with whom I’ve danced, done sunrise yoga, practiced martial arts with, shared tea, and supported one another through the years. The lighthouse symbolizes guidance, hope, and the call to new places—it stands tall, keeping us safe as we journey through life. The sea itself represents the transitions between lands, cultures, and chapters of my life. The waves are a nod to hokusai and the great wave representing the Salem-Ota sister city relationship and the many Japanese students we have hosted who have become family.  I chose a dhow boat because it reflects the fishing and trading history of the places I come from, especially along the East African coast. Its sail is shaped like a music clef to reflect the universal power of music to unite us across different cultures.

Other symbols speak to my life in Salem: the bicycle represents the many friendships I’ve built on group rides across town with various groups of friends; the purple tree is inspired by the jacaranda trees that filled my childhood neighborhood in Nairobi. The teacup is layered in meaning—it represents comfort and connection, but also the global trade routes of tea and spices that link Kenya, India, Salem, and American history. The rainbow sky and sun on the horizon are a statement of inclusion and shared humanity—we all deserve the light of the sun and the opportunity to grow.

I am deeply proud of our Point neighborhood and the way its history mirrors my own: rich with stories of immigration, fishing, trade, food, music, and community. It is a place where diverse backgrounds come together, support one another and where roots run deep.

This mural is my love letter to Salem and to all those who have ever searched for a place to belong. It is a visual expression of gratitude—for the people, moments, and landscapes that have helped me grow roots and find home.  Not only do I invite viewers to reflect on their journeys and the power of connection in shaping who they are, but I also hope to inspire them to be welcoming, and to embody everything they would like to encounter in our communities.