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drzelemaharris@gmail.com

MEMORIES REVISITED

MEMORIES REVISITED

Eight decades of wisdom, clarity and lessons learned as a Black woman in America.

“As we age, our memories take on a special significance. You can access them and they comfort us in times of sadness. In times of happiness, we can share them and they bring us and others joy. Memories never die. The people you love may pass on, but the memories they leave are indelible.”

Zelema Harris

My Mama Told me

Zelema Harris

My Mama Told me

Mama died on March 5, 1987, and left me with several important lessons. The two that stuck with me more than others were: "Don't ever...

Scars – Visible and Invisible

Zelema Harris

Scars – Visible and Invisible

Mommy, what’s that big brown spot on your hand? Tell us that story please Mommy” squealed Cynthia, my four-year-old daughter. “Oh that,”...

Black Child or White Child

Zelema Harris

Black Child or White Child

I heard Mama and Daddy whispering about something that must have been important they did not want me to hear. They were sitting close...

COLORISM: Its Destructive Power of Divisiveness Based on Skin Color

Zelema Harris

COLORISM: Its Destructive Power of Divisiveness Based on Skin Color

“Your daddy is an old white man.” Those words, from my new second grade classmate Mary, ricocheted against my head like a fly ball...

Faces of White Terrorism: From East Texas to The Capital

Zelema Harris

Faces of White Terrorism: From East Texas to The Capital

The month of June in East Texas was unbearably hot. I was searching for something to do that day besides jump rope or hop-scotch. My...

Hosting the NAACP National Convention photographed with Dick Gregory and Jessie Jackson

Kansas City, Missouri 1984

My half siblings Phoebe “Lady Bird,” Emerson, and Wilma.

St. Louis Lifetime Achievement Award. Photographed with Michael Patrick McMillan and Deb Hollingsworth.

St. Louis, Missouri 2010

Photographed with Lou Rawls after hosting an event as chair of the United Negro College Fund Kansas City.

Kansas City, Missouri 1988

NAACP event.

Kansas City, Missouri mid-1980s

My father, James Marshall, at 88 years old. He was born in 1866 to, Rosie, who was enslaved.

Texas 1955

Parkland College retirement dinner in my honor with my daughters Cynthia and Narissa, granddaughter Malia, and son Jay.

Champaign, Illinois 2006

Presenting at The Links, Incorporated.

Tucson, Arizona 2016

Hosting the NAACP National Convention photographed with Jessie Jackson.

Kansas City, Missouri 1984

One of many great conversations with my close friend Samella Gates.

Kansas City, Missouri mid-1980s

Visiting my husband Horace’s family with my daughters Narissa and Cynthia.

Louisville, Kentucky 1964

With Lena Horne at a reception after introducing her at a ceremony in her honor.

Kansas City, Missouri 1982

My mother, Gertrude Marshall Gatson, at 79 years old. She was born in 1907.

Beaumont, Texas 1987

After speaking at an event for the Black Press of America hosted by Xernona Clayton.

Las Vegas, Nevada 1987

With Frances Dancy Hooks, commonly referred to as Mrs. Benjamin Hooks, at an NAACP event.

Kansas City, Missouri 1984

Playing the role of Gay Wellington in the play “You Cant Take it With You” as a sophomore at
Prairie View A&M University.

Prairie View, Texas 1957

As a guest during the filming of my daughter's interview with Oprah Winfrey on Super Soul Sunday.

Santa Barbara, California 2015

Presenting at an AACC event.

Portland, Oregon 1990

AKA Sorority, Inc. event.

Tucson, Arizona 2017

Dinner with my children Cynthia, Narissa and Jay.

Los Angeles, California 2015

Graduation ceremony at Prairie View A&M University with my daughter, Narissa, and my husband, Horace.

Prairie View, Texas 1961

After presenting a grant proposal to the Department of Education.

Washington, D.C. 1969

My half-sister, Carrie, who was murdered in 1938, at the age of 18.

Liberty Community (Newton County), Texas 1938

STLCC Foundation dinner with Hubert Keller and Ellen Sherberg.

St. Louis, Missouri 2010

Photographed in my office while serving as the Chancellor of STLCC.

St. Louis, Missouri 2008