MUSSIE, XAVIER AND NAJAE MEMORIALS

2020 saw an incredibly difficult year for the world, and for my hometown, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Two students from my high school passed away, Najae Josephs and Xavier Louis-Jacques. They were both loved and cherished in the community. Najae was a personal friend of mine, and Xavier and I had many mutual friends. I had asked the city of Cambridge to paint an electrical box, and when they gave the go-ahead, I asked Najae and Xavier's mothers if they would allow me to dedicate the artwork to their sons. The box is in Central Square, Cambridge, in front of the historical graffiti alley.

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In 2023, another alum of my high school, Mussie, passed away due to gun violence. His friends and family asked me to create another memorial for him as I had done for Xavier and Najae.

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Justice is hard to come by, and healing even more so. Whether public or private, I strive to make art that speaks to people, honors life and struggle, and maybe, provides a little healing to those in pain. 

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Before passing away Xavier was enrolled in Xavier University, a historically black university (HBCU) in Louisiana. After his passing, his family created a fund that will go toward aiding future students in tuition to an HBCU. Najae's family also has a memorial fund, the proceedings of which will go to his family. If you would like to donate, the funds are still accepting! Any contribution helps.