Yazz Atmore: Zelma

A collage & interview series honoring the Black ass Women we call home. Inspired by my late grandmother this series celebrates the multifaceted, layered & vastness beauty of the Black women we call home, love, joy & ancestor. Series participants offer memories & stories of life with such extraordinary women giving us a glimpse of the many ways love shows up time after time. The collages consist of photos, magazine snippets, colors & patterns that embody the essence of the women we call mother, grandmother, aunt & friend.  I hope this series reminds you that you too will become the new home, peace, love & ancestor for the next generation. We’re Art. The women who have come before us are Art. The ones who will come after us will be Art.

Zelma Irene Ray

Interviewee: Yazz Atmore, Grandaughter 

What do/did you love the most about her?

I’ve always admired my grandmothers child like spirit. She was such a mischievous woman. She would always be cracking jokes and telling us riddles. I truly believe that was her secret behind aging so gracefully. She didn’t take life too seriously. Her wanderlust spirit always kept me sitting at her feet as she told stories of traveling around the world. She is the reason why I travel so much now.

What was something she taught you?

By watching her, she taught me self-care. One thing about my grandmother was she took her self care seriously. I would walk into her house some days and she would be soaking her feet with her rope on and roller in her hair as she watched her favorite game shows drinking her vodka and orange juice. She always paid herself first and would treat herself on a regular. She knew she was her most important investment.

What’s one piece of advice did she give you that you’ve held onto & live by?

“What will be will be”

What’s a favorite memory or story you have of her?

Leading up to the days of her death I would go over to her house and just hang out with her. We had a conversation about ancestors, about the lessons she’s learned in her life, riddles, joking.