Healing changes us. Healing transforms our communities. Healing alters what is possible – and how we are present. Healing is process & destination, an individual journey, and a collective formation.

I open space for healing, immigrant belonging, and gender & racial equity by advocating for justice and creating social practice art & writing. As a young immigrant kid, I experienced racism and the impact of U.S. educational inequities. Advocacy has become my home for transformation – and change is healing.

For nearly 8 years, I led an anti-violence organization supporting survivors and our communities. In 2016-17, I led a first-hand stakeholder research & systems change process which spurred a NYC community-based initiative to address intimate violence. I continue to advance restorative practices and community-based solutions to addressing violence.

Miracle Marks, my second book of poetry, explores gender violence and sacred survivals. My debut poetry collection on migration, loss & belonging, Terrain Tracks, won the Many Voices Project prize.

Through Circlefor, I collaborate on public art with a healing justice focus with brilliant visual artist, Anjali Deshmukh. Our work explores & catalyzes well-being in our bodies, our spirits, the climate, our communities.

During the pandemic, as we spent more time in nature and became attuned to climate shifts & disasters, dancer Sonali Skandan developed “In Her Element” to give Nature voice — weaving my poetry through the piece.

Across forms, I cultivate healing as an art of transformation.