The 559 Mural Project

Keanna Louise Salazar was born and raised in Selma, California where she received most of her adolescent schooling. From a young age, circumstances moved her back and forth from Selma to Los Angeles for many years. With the foundation of great values and family coming from her small town, it was being exposed to big city living and constant change, where Keanna gained a liking and hunger for adventure. It is also where she was exposed to infinite cultural diversity and finally felt abundantly accepted as a mixed-race child. After 15 plus years in Los Angeles, Keanna’s journey moved her to St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands for 2 years and Manhattan, New York for 9 years with extended worldwide travel in between. She finally returned to her home county of Fresno, Ca in October of 2019 to be closer to family and learn more of her Mexican and Black-American heritage.

After living her adult years in environments where racism seemed less of an issue and multi-cultural awareness was encouraged, Keanna felt an apparent difference once becoming acclimated to her home again. The lack of diversity alone was enough to make her feel isolated, along with blatant racist behavior and reactions from locals in response to the protests that emerged from the George Floyd murder, which were shocking to her. Keanna felt compelled to become educated about racial injustice and socio-economic inequities and find a way to make a difference. Having always been passionate about fighting for justice in any capacity, and ready to finally give back to the community, Central Valley Allies for Change and The 559 Mural Project presented themselves at the perfect time.

Keanna received a Bachelors of Science in Communication with a focus on Public Relations from the CUNY BA and completed several internships in television and radio, but now focusing on public relations. With a natural passion for people and communication, Keanna uses strong interpersonal skills to bring awareness to the non-profit and build relationships with key individuals for fundraising and collaboration. During the day Keanna creates content and manages our social media pages across several platforms. She also contributes to creative brainstorming, planning, coordinating, and promoting our events. She couldn’t be more excited to represent The 559 Mural Project and its mission to make a difference in the Central Valley and beyond.

Growing up in Selma, a small rural town in California’s Central Valley, shaped Selena's early worldview of inequity and injustice. Selena knew it was related to the lack of opportunity for people of color and underrepresented groups. However, it was until later in life that she would come to appreciate the role systemic racism and historical (& current) racist policies are at the root of disenfranchised/marginalized communities and thus keeping people of color from access to wealth, excellent healthcare, and superb education. Thus, it became abundantly clear after graduate school that her professional calling is to help solve social, racial, economic, and environmental inequities through movement building, community partnerships, and economic revitalization. Selena is both energized and inspired by the mission at The 559 Mural Project.

Selena received a Bachelors degree in Cellular Biology at UC Davis receiving a prestigious research scholarship, UCLEADs to do scientific research. She then went to the University of California, San Francisco where she worked as a research associate in a biochemistry lab and then a genetics lab. In 2008, when her family was diagnosed with a hereditary cancer condition known as Lynch Syndrome, Selena became a patient advocate. She started an educational initiative increasing awareness about the condition among the medical community and underserved communities of color. She also ran several half marathons across the US raising thousands of dollars.

Selena intersects many diverse identities including Mexican-American, daughter of migrant workers, Lesbian, and a carrier of a hereditary cancer condition all of which have played a significant role in how she interacts with people, builds relationships, and approaches situations. Selena received a dual Masters degree in Business and Public Administration from Presidio Graduate School.

Sirina Renee Resendez (Lombera) is a powerful and dangerous woman! Her life slogan is “Well-behaved women rarely make history.” She was born and raised in Selma, California until the age of 13 when she moved to Kingsburg, CA. In 2001, she graduated from Kingsburg High School. Sirina has three amazing children – her pride and joy who definitely keep her busy.

In the re-awakening of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, Sirina was compelled to action. She rolled up her sleeves in dramatic fashion to hold a space in her town of Kingsburg by organizing a Unity in the Park Rally to take a stand against the murdering of Black Americans and to be in solidarity with the movement. This event brought a group of valley friends and community members together which inspired the creation of the Central Valley Allies for Change, a grassroots organization, in which Sirina is a Co-Founder.

Sirina brings four years of experience as a behavioral health/mental health case manager and social worker, providing services in Fresno and Kings counties. She is currently an active board member and co-facilitator (Mending the Soul & Your Choice 4 Life classes) of 5 Stones Open Door, a local faith-based non-profit organization in Fresno, CA.

She earned a Bachelors degree in Social Work from the California State University of Fresno in 2016. During her college career, she interned for the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) – Fresno branch for one year. During her time with WILPF, she gained awareness of social injustices locally, nationally, and internationally and her passion has been ever ignited. She has a huge heart and compassion for others and is bringing her life experience and passion for racial and social justice to The 559 Mural Project.

Photo Credit: Landmark Photography