ZURIALITY

Zuri Raushannah Wilson-Seymore

Zuri Wilson-Seymore is a native of Columbia, South Carolina. She is a teaching artist, poet, yogi, actress, community activist, runner, sings a little, draws a little, and enjoys many genres of music. She was chosen as the South Carolina Poetry Out Loud Coordinator in October 2017 - June 2019. In 2018 she made history during her leadership when SC won the first National Poetry Recitation in Washington, DC. She is the Executive Director & Founder of a cultural arts event called “Zuri’s Parallel Worlds” and wellness practitioner of "Zuriality." Zuri has been writing poetry since the age of 13. She found her niche in acting at Winthrop University. In 2000 she studied theater at Stony Brook University in Long Island, NY. She received her bachelor’s degree in theatre with an emphasis in performance arts from Winthrop University in 2001.  In 2004 Zuri was casted for the first local sitcom, called “Metro” in Columbia, SC. Zuri’s Parallel Worlds consist of poetry, theater, song, dance, visual art, music, deejaying, drumming, and vending which ran from 2000-2008. August 2011 Zuri’s Parallel Worlds briefly became a live band.  Then, in 2012 she became a vendor for the Richland County Library and has directed and co-produced the African American History Month Productions of Voices of Our People as a collaborative production of Zuri’s Parallel Worlds. She has also worked with the youth to enhance their literacy in writing and poetry workshops under The City of Columbia and at C.A. Johnson, High School.  Her mission is to encourage others to be the light force energy by exuding love through poetry, music, and movement. Her vision is to heal through poetic expression, therapeutic music, and laughter. Zuriality is a health and wellness spin of Zuri's Parallel Worlds which consist of yoga and veganism. She released her debut album, “Zuri’s Parallel Worlds,” August of 2007. In 2007 she directed the video to her single titled, “She,” which a DVD derived from. November of 2008 and January 2010, she received Certifications in English both of which were completed with an “A” average. In July of 2010 she was casted for a soap opera called, “Love Always Charleston.”  In 2012, she received a Certification in Alternative Medicine excelling with an “A.”  She married Nathaniel R. Seymore in September of 2013. She completed her thesis for her master’s in creative Writing emphasis poetry at Southern New Hampshire University July 31, 2016. She was approved to participate in the graduation ceremony for the university Sunday May 15, 2016, because of the hours completed for the writing program and because of being a straight “A” student. She has written many poems about her late father, Barry Wilson in preparation to write a book of poetry titled Nekot Cookie Crumbles: A Daughter remembering her father and dedicate it to her father who she inherits all her talents from. Since her graduate studies she has been inducted in Sigma Tau Delta Honorary Society April 1, 2015. May of 2015, she filmed an international commercial for Southern New Hampshire University. She enrolled in The National Honor Society of Success & Leadership July 10, 2015. In 2014 she began teaching Zuri’s Parallel Worlds De-Stressing Yoga (now titled, Zuriality De-Stressing Yoga) at Blue Oasis in Columbia, SC through 2017.In 2016 she shared her first De-Stressing Yoga class at Whole Foods Market Columbia. She gifted the community with monthly complimentary classes from 2015- 2017. She studied weekly yin yoga flow with Alma Dunnavant formally of City Yoga (2014-2019). She taught a monthly De-Stressing Yoga Class at "Salts Cuts Nails Salon & Spa"(2019-2020). She facilitated her first Poetry Meets Screenwriting Workshops for the Media Department of The University of South Carolina on October 29, 2015, followed by a second workshop on April 7, 2016.  In 2017 she began working with her editor Al Black on her first poetry manuscript, “Swimming Lessons.” June 2017, she chose to revisit her passion for theater after her late father advised her to in a dream. Additionally, she is in pursuit of her passion for voice overs and booked her first major voice over June 2017 with G.E.M. Studios with Charlie Peterson for The University of South Carolina. In 2018 she released her DVD titled, "Zuriality Live" and received her Restorative Yoga Certification. In 2019, she released her DVD workshop "Zuri's Parallel Worlds Poetry Meets Screenwriting." In 2022, she studied Yoga for Anxiety with Maxiene of Infinite Yoga.  International Yoga Day, June 21, 22 she partnered with Athleta of Columbia to instruct yoga. Currently, she has a weekly Kemetic yoga practice with Master Instructor Yirser Ra Hotep of Kemetic Yoga Skills, Chicago.  I believe the energy that we put into the universe is the energy we shall receive. I also believe it’s important to be patient, spiritually grounded, and focused. The sky is even limitless, and I will continue to reach surpass the stars,” gestures Zuri Wilson-Seymore.