New Yorker by design: Nairobi girl shines in Broadway

Staicy’s journey is as remarkable as the art she produces, a tale of resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of dreams that took her from Nairobi’s vibrant art scene to the fast-paced world of New York City.

Staicy’s love for creativity was nurtured early on in her childhood growing up in Nairobi. Her father, though not a professional artist, was a skilled craftsman who inspired her through his creations. 

“He was always drawing and building things. He built my sister and I a dollhouse. Watching him work with his hands and create something from nothing ignited my desire to create,” Staicy fondly recalls.

Staicy is the first born in a family of two girls. Growing up in Kenya’s capital city, she was surrounded by artistic influences that encouraged her to explore her talents. Her time at Brookhouse School was instrumental in shaping her path. 

“For A-levels, I opted to do art, history, literature, and psychology, but I majorly focused on liberal arts. I always wanted to do design. So, when I finished my A-Levels, I applied to Parsons School of Design to study graphic design and I got a scholarship,” she says. 

In 2018, Staicy packed her bags and moved halfway across the world to New York City. The transition was daunting, she says.

“I was alone. All my family was back in Kenya. The culture shock, homesickness, and lack of immediate family support made the adjustment challenging,” she says.

“When I got admitted to the university, my parents didn’t know what to expect or what they would say to me. When I came here, I was all alone. I did not have any family in America but I was lucky because New York is a multicultural city. I managed to find other Africans and got my own community.”  

Yet she found solace in the city’s multicultural fabric. 

“New York is fast-paced, much like Nairobi, so it was easy to adapt to the new environment. Its diversity made it easier to find people with shared experiences. I connected with other international students, many of whom were also navigating the complexities of living in a new country. We bonded over our shared challenges and created a sense of community,” she says.

Being the first person from her family to go to the university, Staicy did not have the luxury to dally. After graduating in 2022 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, her determination to succeed pushed her into overdrive. 

“I didn’t want the summer to end without securing a job. I had a student visa and I didn’t want it to expire before securing a work visa,” she says.

Her days were filled with applications and interviews, and she soon found herself juggling three jobs, one as an assistant to an artist, managing social media designs and client presentations, while also designing a website for an architecture firm. These roles honed her skills and introduced her to the professional world.

Despite the grind, Staicy yearned for more. 

“I wanted to work for a big agency, to be part of a team and learn how companies operate,” she says. “My breakthrough came when I secured a fellowship through the Black Theatre Coalition, an organisation that connects Black professionals to opportunities in theatre and Broadway.”

Today, Staicy is a full-time graphic designer specialising in Broadway campaigns. Her work spans everything from social media banners to the iconic digital billboards in Times Square. 

“Seeing my designs displayed in public spaces like subways and bus screens is incredibly fulfilling,” she says. 

One of her most notable projects is the recently release, Wicked. She’s also worked on campaigns for productions such as Mary Jane, starring Rachel McAdams, and Some Like It Hot. 

“Meeting Rachel McAdams during the opening of Mary Jane was surreal. I grew up watching her in Mean Girls. To now contribute to a project she’s part of, it’s a full-circle moment,” she excitedly says.

Her role at Broadway involves collaborating with art directors and clients to translate creative concepts into compelling visuals. 

“We take one idea and adapt it across multiple platforms, ensuring it resonates with different audiences,” she explains.

As an African woman in a predominantly American and international space, Staicy has faced her share of challenges. In university, she often found herself as the only African student in the room.

“I didn’t experience any racism for the four years, but people had limited to no knowledge of the African culture. People’s perceptions of Kenya were shaped by wildlife documentaries. I found myself having to constantly explain that Nairobi is a thriving, modern city.”

Despite the frustrations, Staicy turned these moments into opportunities to educate Americans on her culture. 

“In many of my class presentations, I would come up with art projects that spoke about the African culture.”

Staicy’s ambitions extend beyond Broadway. She dreams of returning to Kenya to establish a design agency. Inspired by organisations such as the Black Theatre Coalition, she envisions a platform that empowers Kenyan artists and connects them to global opportunities.

“I want to create a space where Kenyan creatives can thrive and explore their potential,” she says. While she acknowledges that Kenya’s theatre industry is still growing, she sees immense potential for collaboration and growth.

For young people looking to follow in her footsteps, Staicy emphasises perseverance and self-belief. 

“It’s about trusting yourself and taking small steps toward your goals,” she advises. 

She draws inspiration from the hummingbird story, a tale about doing the best you can, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

“It’s those small, consistent actions that lead to meaningful achievements,” she says.

Staicy’s story is a testament to the power of hard work, adaptability, and staying true to one’s passions. From her early days in Nairobi, dreaming of a creative career, to seeing her designs light up New York’s iconic streets, she has proven that dreams are achievable with determination and vision.