Today we’d like to introduce you to Zuhura.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My creative journey really started in high school when my best friends and I created a collective focused on supporting each other with collaborative projects. We would just meet up after school and drive all around South Bay. Though Unstable the Label eventually dissolved the bond and love is still there.
Once I entered my first year at Howard University I knew I wanted to still pursue my creative visions. I applied to join many creative collectives or organizations on campus as a model and creative director. Unfortunately, I was met with many “no’s” instead of “yes’s” but in retrospect it made me a better self-advocate.
On my flight back home, I finished ‘Sister Outsider” by Audre Lorde. Her essay “Uses of the Erotic” made me feel like she was directly speaking to me, a young Black girl coming into her womanhood at 18 years old. She addressed the power of celebrating our eroticism and femininity instead of viewing it as a disadvantage. To reclaim a part of ourselves that we have been taught to deny.
Finally seeing myself in literature made me recognize the power of my message. This is what inspired me to create “Black Madonna” a short film directed, casted, designed and written by me. It was crucial that everyone from production set design and editing was a Black womxn. It was a blessing to also be able to have my granny Baasha Johnson narrate the short film not only immortalizing her but showcasing the intergenerational importance of reclaiming our identity.
“Black Madonna” was created to encourage the exploration of the spiritual, emotional, and sensual self. It was a direct resistance to the harmful narrative of Black womxn depicted within media and entertainment. A reminder that we will not devalue ourselves. Shrinking ourselves is no longer an option. That Black womxn possess divinity yet we are still human therefore we deserve to be humanized.
We can feel pain without fear of being seen as inferior.
We can feel rage without being seen as ‘The Angry Black womxn”
We can feel love, we are love.
We are everything.
After this experience, I knew my purpose was to amplify the voices, stories and beauty of Black womxn. Now every project I participate in strives to follow that same intention of re-empowerment of Black people.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was my biggest obstacle. Constantly questioning myself and my ability at every step. Though I am naturally somewhat of a perfectionist, it was the imposter syndrome that always found a way to lurk just around the corner of success. This is not something that I can confidently say is no longer an issue. Yet, it is something I have learned to silence when needed.
Black Madonna – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My specialization is creative direction meaning creating something out of nothing something that seems cultural at this point as a Black American woman.
The question of what sets me apart from others is difficult to answer simply because it would mean I would have to compare myself to other first. I believe I am who I am, so I create what I create.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career so far has been the collaborative projects that I have done with Converse. My friend Nadira Jameson started SiKK Magazine our sophomore at Howard University. Eventually, she asked me to officially become the creative director for SiKK Magazine. One day after a shoot, Converse was having an internship info-session on campus where I met Austin Bryant, creative director at Converse. Unfortunately, his department were not taking on any interns that year but something told me to talk to him anyways. So after the info-session, I went up to him, showed him some of my work along with SiKK’s social media and told him we should work on something together. He followed us on everything and told me to follow up with him so I suggested next time he was in DC or NY that we should go get coffee. Then boom! A couple of months later he asked if we would be interested in doing a collaborative campaign telling the stories of young Black creatives. Of course, it only made sense to cast friends who were creative Black womxn with powerful intentional messages in their craft.
Our friend Anexis graciously allowed us to film in his cozy home. We filled the space with flowers, satins, and incense welcoming the energy of love and beauty. It was an amazing opportunity where everyone walked away with so much love and insight. We all sat in a circle and talked about our lives openly, creating a safe space for truth and understanding.
Moments of laughter from our bellies to almost shedding tears made everyone feel so seen. I am the most proud of the environment we created along those who felt inspired by it. It was crazy having underclassmen come up to me on the yard telling me they felt inspired to create after seeing what we did.
The patience, guidance and friendship showcased by Austin Bryant and art director Connor Bebe is something I’ll never forget. I look forward to experiencing many more proud moments in my career.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zu.hura/
Image Credit:
Model: Rokhaya, Photographer: Zuhura; Models: MAK( Instagram: makcollective), Photographer: Mckenzie Grant (Instagram: eleven0six); Model: Natasha (Instagram:freckled.gyal), Photographer: Kristal (Instagram: ktwrs) Model: Mavi(Instagram:mavi4mayor), Photographer: Zuhura; Model: Drea (Instagram: dregoldi), Photographer: Zuhura; Model: MAK (makcollective), Photographer: Kennis (Instagram: trash.ketchumm)
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