Meet Zelossie Whitted | Creative Healer & Pro Ballroom Dancer

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

Hi Zelossie, what do you attribute your success to?
I think me being self-actualized. Living up to my own expectations. I realize that my strengths and capabilities have been earned through hard work and sacrifice, yet only count for something if I can share them with someone else.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
For me, everything is measured in value, even if money isn’t the main currency. My art gives me autonomy and purpose. Moods or emotional impressions are what shapes perception for me. It is hard for me to engage in a just the facts type of conversation. I’m geared more towards communication that resonates on a personal level and has to do with the intimate experiences of the heart. My gifts find the universal in the personal and people are able to witness the outlet for my emotional intelligence through my arts. I’m able to express the depths of any experience, and the poignant yearnings we all have to live, love and belong. I have lived many lives in the one that I have been given and will continue serving as a conduit for spirit. Something I learned is how important it is that you recognize the need for learning or apprenticeship along the road to mastery. Showing others your vulnerabilities will not hurt you as much as you may fear, and can in fact help them appreciate your achievements more through seeing your commitment to high standards through hard work.

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?
In my view some of the best places in the city are where all the different types of people mix. Piedmont Park is always a staple to hit when someone visits. The energy in the park and on the beltline during a nice sunny day is everything! and something that anyone can enjoy. I am a very one size fits one type of person, so anything I recommend or decide to do would truly depend on the individual that’s visiting. Naturally, I lean more towards open and sophisticated environments. Any place with live music or a great DJ is always a must, like rooftops!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh, there’s so many! From young, the idea of success was instilled in me, because the women in my family were over-achievers, or because other obligations got in the way of their dreams, which often made me want to finish what they started or pushed me in another route. I know that I emotionally identify with my accomplishments because of this. I also accredit a lot of my character to the men in my life. My grandfather, brothers, grandpa and my father, always compelled my strength, made enormous demands on me, and never once did they doubt my courage or my toughness. Growing up the only girl, they created an environment for me where I was not limited, but even more so encouraged, to explore the private recesses of my soul. Also, there are two teachers who have been on my mind recently. My 8th grade history teacher, Mr. Brandon, and my Freshman year HS homeroom teacher, Mrs. Betty. Mr. Brandon was my history teacher in middle school, who changed our entire history curriculum for a couple of weeks just to talk about Emmitt Till. This happened when I mentioned how important I thought it was for us to discuss and bring awareness to what had happened to him and how I believed that some of my peers would never hear about it in the school’s system curriculum if we didn’t, and I was right. That moment really solidified for me the purpose of believing in my passions and standing up for what I believe in – even if it is just me standing alone. Mrs. Betty was instantly one of my favorite teachers upon meeting her for the very first time. She was witty, laid-back, smart, and a very compassionate person. Qualities I naturally attract to and can only hope to be recognized for. One evening in her class, I had completed an assignment early and ended up letting my thoughts wonder as I awaited for my classmates to finish. When I came back to, I saw Mrs. Betty, pregnant at the time, walking around passing out papers. I immediately rushed to help. I asked her why she did not ask me to do it in the first place and she replies, “well it looked like you were daydreaming and I didn’t want to interrupt that. You looked peaceful in your thoughts.” It seems small but that moment, until this day, still warms my heart. She taught me to reclaim my self, always. That it is okay to be with your thoughts and that others should respect when you are. It was a moment that really nourished the artist in me and sprouted a seed.

Instagram: Zelossie Auset

Image Credits
Kenya