This body of work, Legacy of Growth, is an honest reflection of the desire to grow beyond pain, fear, and failure, and to walk in the footsteps of those who turned struggle into strength. The series began with a question: What does it mean to live with purpose and leave behind something beautiful, even when you’re still finding your way?

I want to leave behind a legacy of integrity, love, and power, but I am still so far from the person that I want to be. I find myself in cycles of making the same mistakes repeatedly. I sometimes question my faith and the values I grew up with. I feel lost and alone sometimes. When I hear stories and testimonies of people like Denise Mathews, I am reminded that everyone is capable of growth and change. I knew Sister Denise since I was a baby; delving into her past and listening to her interviews, as I learned about the abuse, racism, and abandonment she overcame, it became increasingly evident that her state of peace, contentment, and joy did not come from the shallow pleasures that accompany fame and wealth. Rather, as she grew in wisdom, love, and hope through her faith, she also grew in her commitment towards change and perfection. In this show, portraits of black men and women are layered over plants and spiraling patterns to represent this inner growth and a cycle of transformation. One of these portraits is of Sister Denise, where I have contrived spirals to orchestrate the melodies of her inner struggles for freedom, belonging, and change. 

 

Likewise, I look at my own history as a Black man in America and I see thousands of stories of people who overcame racism, cruelty, and seemingly insurmountable odds. We helped build this country and perfect its principles of liberty, equality, and justice. I see this not only in abolitionists and freedom fighters, but also in people closer to home like my Uncle who was arrested protesting for civil rights, my Mom who helped break stereotypes as a Black female engineer, and my Grandfather who protected our freedoms in the military. I feel as if I am standing on the shoulders of giants who demonstrated the power to overcome obstacles. I feel a responsibility to protect these civil rights that we have inherited through the sacrifices of so many before us. 

 

I may never be able to leave behind a legacy of perfection, but I strive to be better every day and be the change that we need to see in our community. Legacy of Growth is rooted in the belief that transformation is possible—that even through our darkest moments, growth can still take root and bloom. I hope one day, when I pass on like our dear Denise Mathews, that I too leave behind a legacy of growth.