Yazz Atmore is an educator, creative writer and the founder of Crowned Curls, a Women of Color collective where creatives, entrepreneurs and every WOC in between can come together to cultivate and nourish community through intentional gatherings, online publications and the overall support of one another. Yazz has lived in Denver her whole life. Here’s what she had to say about being Black in Denver.

What does it mean to you to be Black in Denver?

To me, being Black in Denver means embracing, indulging and celebrating the beauty this city and every other city in the world has to offer. I believe, wherever you are on your journey and wherever your journey may take you, it is important to continuously live in the now – that’s where you experience the purest form of God – use the resources around you and experience the many versions of you with others. Being Black in Denver has taught me to keep things simple, add my own little twists on the most mundane tasks/things and remember, I am the embodiment of home.

Tell me about your business.

Crowned Curls focuses on cultivating, manifesting and executing safe spaces online and offline for women and girls of color to connect, learn, explore and embrace their unique personal journeys. Through intentional, curated experiences, online publications and partnering with amazing businesses/brands, we aim to create a worldwide community among women of color that engages in love, creativity, healing and celebration of sisterhood.

What do you love most about living in Denver?

What I love most about living in Denver is this city is made for the ambitious free-spirited soul. And of course clean water and slightly better air quality.

How have your experiences in Denver shaped you as a creative, entrepreneur, professional, etc.?

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9

Lately, I’ve been embracing this Ecclesiastes 1:9 verse and it has really lifted the burden of feeling like I have to create something “new” to be effective, supported and impactful in the community as a Black creative and entrepreneur. Running a business in Denver has challenged me to just keep it simple and go back to the basics of things. Over the last three years, I’ve noticed that people in general just want to be accepted, understood, heard, and connect with others — all of this with good food too. So through Crowned Curls, all I’m doing is just putting my own little twist on what is, has and will always be here — connection, community & love.

Want to keep up the Crowned Curls community? Follow them on Facebook and Instagram. You can also subscribe to their newsletter here, and keep a look out for their upcoming events: HerTRIBE, the 4th Annual #CrunkCurlsFestival, Curls & Brunch, and more!