HUMANS OF LINCOLN: Zavion Watson
Updated: Oct 20
Meet Zavion Watson, known on stage as Zilla Zo, a spoken word artist, health aide, coach, and mentor who wears many hats but grounds them all in resilience, motivation, and the drive to uplift others. From football fields to open mic stages, Zavion channels his passion into empowering young people to embrace their identities, face adversity head-on, and discover the power of their own voices.
What first drew you to spoken word, and how has it shaped who you are?
The first thing that drew me to spoken word was actually almost like a dare. I had a friend named Jayleena who was attending an open mic night to perform because she could sing. I just wanted to go and experience the vibe, but she kept encouraging me to get up and perform something myself.
I told her, "I’m just an athlete, I can't sing, rap, or break-dance." Or so I thought.
The competitor in me eventually took it personally. So, I started writing. And when I finally got on stage and shared my words, the response I got from the crowd was priceless. In that moment, I felt like I had found my lane, my home, and my people.
Your work touches on resilience, identity, and social issues. What message do you hope young people take from your performances?
First and foremost, I want young people and anyone listening to identify who they are as individuals. Ask yourselves: Who am I? What do I stand for? What experiences have shaped me and reinforced who I am?
Second, I want my Black and Brown communities, and all minorities, to stay alert to the real issues we face every day. We can’t afford complacency. As for me, I’m a walking potential threat to anyone who sees me through a racist lens and feels the need to “prove a point”, especially given how the world seems to be changing every day.
Mental health advocacy is central to your work. Why is this so important to you?
We only tap into a fraction of our brain’s power over the course of an average lifetime. Our minds and how we respond under pressure are key, not just in sports, but in life overall. If we fail to recognize that our struggles are what shape us, we risk missing the opportunity to promote change within our families, our communities, and future generations.
I've faced my own trials and tribulations, and through them, I’ve come to recognize the strength I had to persevere and overcome. But not everyone is comfortable with that kind of resilience; some choose to stay stagnant, unsure of how to move forward in life.
Depending on food stamps your whole life is not normal. If your kids grow up seeing that as a way of life, they begin to normalize it. And once they become familiar, they become comfortable with something that was supposed to be a stepping stone, not a permanent home.
You’ve coached youth and high school athletes. What role do you think universities and schools should play in supporting youth wellness and creative growth?
I believe coaches carry many responsibilities at every level of the game. However, in my opinion, the most important role is the ability to build a genuine relationship with each player. As a coach, you should sincerely want to understand what drives that individual, what fuels them to compete, to grow, and to strive to be the best version of themselves.
Even at a young age, this kind of encouragement is crucial. Children are constantly comparing themselves to others and to the world around them. To be a guiding force in helping a young person discover their identity and purpose is, to me, the most powerful role a coach can play. Coaches should be curious about both sides of a player, not just what makes Zavion Watson “Zilla Zo” on the field, but what makes “Zilla Zo” Zavion Watson off the field. It’s that full-circle understanding that creates real impact.
You’re known for combining athletics and arts in your community work. Why do you think blending these two worlds matters for youth development?
For me, it’s like having a passion for playing two sports and, at the same time, being a well-known poet. Through that, I’m showing kids that it’s okay to be versatile with your identity. I’m giving them the vision and the courage to step out of the box and embrace all parts of who they are.
Too many people are sitting on talents they know nothing about, or they’re underestimating the gifts they do know they have. Learning to be comfortable being you in all your uniqueness is where true power starts.
Too many people are sitting on talents they know nothing about, or they’re underestimating the gifts they do know they have.
Your community projects, like “Poetry for Power” and the Annual Football & Faith Youth Camp, bring together large groups of young people. What do you see as the key to making these events successful?
The key is people being willing to show up and be vulnerable to share their hearts through different pieces, in different forms. It’s about creating a space where others are doing the same, where there’s a shared passion, and maybe even shared pain… or shared joy. It always starts with the people first.
Do you see similarities between being on stage and being on the field?
I definitely see similarities between the two, whether it’s delivering a powerful speech or poem, or stepping onto the field. The same confidence it takes to perform spoken word is the same confidence it takes to play your position and lead on the field.
Discipline connects them both, and it translates directly into life. Discipline to manage your time. Discipline to stay focused. Discipline to simply be on time. It all matters, whether you’re in front of a crowd or in the heat of competition.
Discipline connects them both, and it translates directly into life.
What advice do you have for young people finding their voice in sports, school, or the arts?
Be open to trying new things. True self-worth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing opportunities to grow. What makes you different is what makes you unique, and that difference can even become a source of income one day.
Whatever path you choose, approach it with confidence. Stand firm in your values, be bold in your beliefs, and act with intention. When others say you can’t do something, take it as motivation to prove them wrong. Remember, the sky has no limits unless you decide to give it some.
You seem wise beyond your years. What life experiences have shaped your depth?
I would say just being able to be teachable about the things I’ve been through. A lot of you can't do this and you can’t do that, and being neglected at a young age, shaped me into who I am.
I’ve always had a rebellious spirit, but it’s always been for the right reasons. So now I walk around with a watch me type of attitude & watch the people around me do it too. Being put in a box for so long created a hunger in me because deep down inside, I’ve always known I can do exactly what they do, if not better at whatever I put my mind to, and my goal is to get others to see that as well.
Being labeled at a young age will open your eyes to why people operate the way they do. Whether it’s out of hate or they just are not able to express themselves properly. It heightens your senses on the slightest change in tone change in attitude etc. because of my trauma I’m able to read people on a whole different level because I spent my whole life observing on the sidelines watching while others told me what I could and could not do and it may very well be because they havent taken the time to properly heal and equip the proper tools needed to heal themselves and others around them.
You’ll be hosting our university’s first open mic! How do you want students to experience this event?
I want the students to be excited about this upcoming experience. To create a tradition that students look forward to year after year, an experience that everyone talks about attending. It’s about showing up for one another, building friendships, and knowing that at Lincoln, we are more than classmates; we are family. Together, we can make this event a space where support, laughter, and lasting memories are shared by all.
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