Meet Zahyr Lauren

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zahyr Lauren and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zahyr, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
The end goal is to build an art rooted philanthropic company that offers sustainable monetary support to movements for justice, while adorning those in the movement, and creating work that brings healing. Professionally, I want to have worked in costume design with luminaries like Ruth Carter. I want to have built outfits to be performed in by the likes of Cecile Mclorin Salvant, and Esperanza Spalding. I want to see my work on the sides of some of the tallest buildings in the world. And in these endeavors, I want to have generated an income that will allow me to support the visionary movement leaders protecting our human rights across the globe. The art must always be attached to, and in support of freedom struggle.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My lifes work has been to work on, and expose human rights issues in the United States. I am most proud of my work as a human rights investigator at the Southern Center for Human Rights. In my capacity as a Capital Murder and Impact Litigation investigator, I was the first at the Southern Center to work on both capital murder cases, and class action cases.

Americans have a tendency to want to focus their help and their activism outwards. Understandable as we watch global atrocities play out on instagram. But what I have seen inside the cages of this country, has forever changed my perspective on where global change starts. For those of us born in the US, change must start here in the US. Our friends, relatives, and neighbors suffer some of the worst human rights violations on the planet right here at home, inside the cages of this country. We are the most heavily policed and incarcerated nation in the world. We do not have a justice based system, we have a system of punishment that some escape because they have resources, and others are subjected to because they do not have resources.

My art comes from what I have seen. As a New York State attorney, I lost my ability to walk due to the stress and secondary trauma of working in the carceral state. Out of that lost ability, came a need to doodle in order to relax my mind. What was once very sloppy doodling turned into my insatiable commitment to expanding my artistic practice. I became obsessive about the art. It was the only mental salve I had access to. After two years of practice came my first show in Brooklyn New York.
Look out for my show in LA. Fall/Winter 2025.
To this day, all of my artwork is hand drawn.
I want people to know that the art is MY healing. The art is my home and my peace away from the suffering I have seen and experienced. It is in opposition to the traumatic state of the world, and I share it in hopes that it brings healing, hope, and resources to others.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is a tough one!!! LA is such an amazing city. I planned 6 days for us.

Day 1: Welcome to Family Time in LA

Spend the day with the sibling in Crenshaw. Lowkey time catching up and hanging at his crib. Spend the night at the village moms home in Silver Lake hanging with her and her amazing group of friends. As far as I can say, these are the dopest folks in LA. 🙂

Day 2: Eat stuff + See stuff

Morning: Start with a delicious brunch at The Serving Spoon in Inglewood – You feel at home as soon as you step in.

Afternoon: Head over to Leimert Park for some dope Black art and culture. Check out the local shops and maybe catch some live music or a community event.

Evening: Dinner at Abeautifullife Jamaican Kitchen on San Pedro St. The patties are slammin.

Day 3: Crenshaw Crown

Morning: Brunch at Post and Beam in Crenshaw for some delicious food with positive vibes.

Afternoon: Roll through the spot on Slauson Ave. where The Marathon Clothing Store used to be. Nipsey Hussle will forever be a North Star. Going to this spot helps to center us in community values. Evening:

Dinner at Fixins Soul Kitchen  – their Southern fare is next level. Finish the night with a drink at The Living Room on Crenshaw Blvd. and relax while the karaoke family takes the mic. on the weekends.

Day 4: Home to the Human-Story

Morning: Hit up California African American Museum in Exposition Park for an amazing art and culture experience.

Afternoon: Lunch at Willie Mae’s Restaurant in Venice, then explore Venice Beach with the bestie.

Evening: Sit on the beach and do some reflecting on our own human story. Especially in light of Willie Mae’s. Also maybe get a tattoo on Venice Beach 🙂

Day 5: Chill and Explore

Morning: Brunch at home.

Afternoon: Spend the afternoon at Artfully Spaced Gallery – the art is always a must see and a you-may-not-see-it-anywhere-else.

Evening: Dinner at Two Hommés in Inglewood.

Day 6: Go see Issa’s spot first

Morning: If your caffeine & morning vibe is just as important to you as your Breakfast, stop by Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Inglewood. Owned by Issa Rae, this spot has a great casual ambiance. I always randomly meet awesome folks here.

Afternoon: Visit Grand Central Market – it’s like stepping into a different world. Walk around the Arts District to see murals and pop-up shops.

Evening: Dinner at Bavel, known for its incredible Middle Eastern cuisine. Finish the night with a drink at The Parlor, a legendary bar in the Fairfax neighborhood

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my Great Grandmother Margaret, and my Grandmother Clementine. My Great Grandmother migrated from Oklahoma to California with nothing, and made something for generations to come. My Grandmother, at 9 years old and her oldest brother at 11, were charged with the monumental responsibility of getting themselves, and 9 younger siblings from Oklahoma to California on the train to meet my Great Grandmother. They say you could see my Great Grandmother sprinting from far away to meet the train and get her babies. This migration took place at a time in which anything could happen to young black children at the hands of white folks with no accountability, and no recourse. I imagine how afraid my grandmother must have been. At 9 years old, she did it anyway. As her grandchild, I owe her a great debt for the privilege of being born in California.

When I asked my Grandmother what she thought of me quitting my life as a lawyer to pursue art, she said: “I believe you will do it. You are dedicated when you put your mind to something. Go do it.”

So I keep going.

Website: krtsart.com

Instagram: kororulesthesun

Image Credits
Image 1 (Opera Cape on Mannequin) Photo Credit: Mari Shibuya