Today we’d like to introduce you to Zuri
Zuri, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up in LA, I frequently took the bus from middle school through high school, where I first noticed my natural observant nature and love of people-watching. I studied the differences in body language between white-collar and blue-collar workers, single parents, the unhoused, those with mental illnesses, and various cultural backgrounds. These moments on the bus also highlighted where acts of service were most needed. Among the many challenges I witnessed, the exhaustion, treatment, and perseverance of Black women deeply moved me.
According to my mom, my passion for working out started around age three when I put on my swimsuit to exercise alongside her as she followed a VHS workout tape. As I moved around different parts of LA, playing tennis, basketball, dance, and swimming provided a sense of security, stability, and control that kept me grounded. My commitment to sports led me to play college volleyball, where I also grew more passionate about service, education, and community.
I’ve always had a creative streak and an unshakable urge to express my personal style. When I see clothing items on store racks, I envision them with my unique touch, a practice that began around age 14, shopping at thrift stores and upcycling garments by shortening skirts or adding embellishments. This creative journey arguably started even earlier, during my time at the Boys and Girls Club’s Art Center, where I Mod Podged notebook covers with tissue paper designs and made bracelets out of buttons. One Christmas, I received a sewing machine and taught myself to sew, which led to countless hours and investments in fabric from the Fashion District in Downtown LA to create pieces that reflect my style and imagination. My favorite items to make are mini skirts—they’re simple to create, and when nothing in my wardrobe fits the occasion, I find myself at my sewing machine with a yard and a half of fabric and a zipper, ready to bring a new vision to life.
In 2022, I saw a beautiful Black Women on Twitter and I felt immense gratitude for sharing community with her and other Black women. To embrace and celebrate my community, I created my own trucker hat with a patch that said “Association of Fine Black Women.” Wearing it for the first time on Juneteenth, the positive response from friends and strangers motivated me to make more hats. To me, a Fine Black Woman takes care of herself mentally and physically, shows up for her community, pursues an education in alignment with her interests, and remains true to her authentic self. In 2023, I launched the first Association of Fine Black Woman scholarship in partnership with FemScolar, an organization based in Inglewood aimed at providing community to young women and promoting higher education. I was moved to start this scholarship because I remember struggling in college to cover necessities, and I knew even the smallest amount of help would have made the world of a difference. As I continue to define what it means to be a Fine Black Woman, I am inspired by the authenticity, truth, and purposefulness of the Fine Black Women around me, both near and far.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Between the ages of eight and nine, I vividly remember wearing an orange Old Navy three-quarter zip fleece pullover every day during the summer. I paired it with different shorts, but the fleece pullover remained constant. As an adult, reflecting on my experiences through a more objective lens, I recognize that I’ve struggled with body image issues for a sizable amount of my life. I avoided two-piece swimsuits for as long as possible, until it felt awkward being the only one in a one-piece without fun, revealing cutouts. Crop tops were off-limits until relatively recently, and even then, wearing one was a significant moment that often resulted in an Instagram post, showing just two to three inches of skin, rarely below my belly button. Each year, I told my friend Brittany I would wear crop tops that summer, and it wasn’t until she responded with, “Yeah, okay,” that I actually did. People often used to said, “If I had your body, I would,” followed by how they would wear as least clothes as possible, highlighting the complex dynamics of my body image journey. Now, I wear two-piece swimsuits, low-rise jeans, and crop tops every chance I get, but it took a long time to get here.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I earned my undergraduate degree in Broadcast Integrated Media Production with dreams of hosting my own talk show. I was deeply moved by interviews and inspired by how a simple conversation shared through media could positively impact millions of lives worldwide. However, as social media rapidly changed the landscape of journalism and the way we received news, the traditional path to becoming a talk show host evolved. With a passion for television and improving the lives of people who looked like me, I pivoted to film and television.
During COVID, I secured a position as a casting producer and went on to cast shows for Netflix, VH1, Magnolia Network, PBS, and more. While I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in television and film, I am now drawn to work that aligns more closely with the core values of the Association of Fine Black Women. Entrepreneurship is a new path for me, and betting on oneself can be daunting, but I am confident that my experience as an athlete and the uncertainty of the television industry have adequately prepared me to be a self-starter, identify opportunities, and find comfort in the unknown. In both arenas, very little was ever concrete, which has equipped me to navigate the uncertainties of entrepreneurship.
Interestingly, I am most known for being athletic and creative, but those aren’t the traits I lead with. I’m always more interested in asking someone 1,000 questions and learning about them as opposed to talking about myself. If someone says they like my outfit, I rarely tell them I made it, thankfully, if my friends are in earshot distance they will share. As for what I am most proud of, I’m proud to have a brand that celebrates Black people. Association of Fine Black Women is a gender-neutral brand that celebrates Blackness in all its forms. When I vend at markets, I’m met with warmth and joy from others because of the pride and sense of community they feel, evoked by the message and that brings me alot of joy.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Aligned with my passion for storytelling and interviews, memoirs are my favorite books. Oprah Winfrey’s “Things I Know For Sure” has been my favorite since my undergraduate days. It is filled with profound life lessons and reflections from her personal experiences and career, emphasizing the importance of gratitude, resilience, and self-awareness. I find it inspirational and packed with practical wisdom for living a more meaningful life. My second favorite is “Hood Feminism” by Mikki Kendall, which critiques mainstream feminism for neglecting issues that disproportionately affect marginalized communities, such as poverty, hunger, and violence. Almost every chapter moved me to tears. My favorite podcast is “The Read” because Kid Fury and Crissle always lift my mood with their banter while offering meaningful insights on current events.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.associationoffineblackwomen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zurichellece/
