Olanzo James

This tattoo is unique because it carries the weight of every memory—her laughter in the kitchen, her voice humming gospel my mother.

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The first cut is on Thursday the 15th of May at 7PM PDT

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What inspired your most recent tattoo?

After my mom, Cathryn, passed, I felt like something in me went silent. There were things I didn’t get to say. Things I thought we had more time for. The world kept moving, but I was stuck—stuck in the last conversation we had, stuck in the way she used to smile even when her vision was gone. I needed something that would bring her with me everywhere I went.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

It would say, “I miss you, Ma.” Every day. Every breath. It would say, “Thank you for every sacrifice, every sleepless night, every time you went without so I could have.” It would say, “I saw your strength, even when you thought no one noticed.”

What would you do with the $25,000?

First, I’d invest in building a small tattoo studio—not just any studio, but a space where stories are honored. A place where people can come in with their grief, their triumphs, their memories, and leave with more than just ink. I want to create an environment where every tattoo has soul, where people feel safe to say, “This is for my mother,” or “This saved me,” and know the artist understands that depth—because I live it.

Vote for Olanzo James to be the Inked Original while supporting a great cause! Cast your daily vote below, or make a tax-deductible donation to help provide financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer.


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YOUR INK, YOUR STORY

Body art deserves to be shown off.