A Step Ahead

A Step Ahead by artist Kein Nguyen is located in the Lovely neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The mural was inspired by the 2008 Target National Night Out, an annual community event based on public safety and crime prevention. Over 250 people participated in the painting of this mural.

The mural is composed of three parts. The main wall has two layers. In the foreground is a group of seven figures, which represent an educational timeline of a person’s life. It starts with a toddler playing with blocks, moves through elementary and middle school, then goes to a high school graduation, an adult professional, and finally to a senior sharing his knowledge with a younger generation. The figures also symbolize the diverse community that live in the neighborhood. In the background are colorful silhouettes of different professions that one can aspire to. To the left of the main wall are two smaller walls each containing a quote and its translation into three languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, and Khmer. The quotes directly relate to the imagery: “Do your duty with pure conduct” is how one should approach any job or profession; and “It takes a village to raise a child” talks about the growth of a child into a successful adult.