We are looking forward to another fun night in our fall campfire concert series with amazing music by local artist Swayyvo! We are also excited to announce that before the music starts, we will have an exclusive poetry reading by local poet Erika Roberts of a new poem inspired by her time at Reflection Riding.

Erika Roberts is a creative strategist, poet, and community healer that uses poetry to facilitate radical self-care within communities that have withstood generational and systemic traumas. Her leadership has transformed the way arts-based community engagements can impact civic and non-profit organizations such as The City of Chattanooga, The Hunter Museum of American Art, PopUp Project, CHI Memorial Hospital, Glass House Collective, Westside Evolves Project, Chattanooga Design Studio, Hamilton County Schools, TinkerMa and The United Way of Chattanooga. Erika has been commissioned to write original poetry and perform spoken word for multiple film projects, and city plans including the feature length documentary film The Light We Share that was produced by The PopUp Project in 2020/2021. She has won awards for working in the Westside Evolves process as lead engagement artist. She continues this work in that community as Engagement Strategist with Columbia Residential. She has won the Cam Bush NOAH Arts For Health Award in the Arts Advancing Social Justice category for a collaboration with Hunter Museum, Memorial Hospital & Pop up Project, Rick Rushing & Lisa Hill in 2022. She was the host of the Shades of Poetry Showcase 2023. She is the creator and curator of the late-night shows, Midnight Poetry. 

She has won the BEC  award for Best in the Literary Arts (2023) from the Chattanooga Business Elite & from Chattanooga Black Arts & Idea Festival. She is also the proud recipient of an Impact award from Nooga Vision. She currently sits on the boards of Arts in Health Council, The Chattanooga Public Library Foundation, The Chattery, & the local chapter of Architects in America. She has commissioned poetry from Glass House Collective, Placemaking Conference, City of Chattanooga, United Way, Hunter Museum, and Reflection Riding. You can check out her work on Instagram (@Velvetpoetry) and Facebook (Velvet Poetry), or shop her chapbooks here.

We will also be holding a private meet and greet with Erika before the concert begins for our Annual Giving Society members. It will be a wonderful evening connecting with fellow Chattanoogans and an inspiring local artist. If you are interested in becoming an Annual Giving Society member, please contact support@reflectionriding.org for ways to join.

We are looking forward to a gorgeous night of music, poetry, s’mores, beer, the option to camp, and tons of fun! Make sure to get your tickets before they sell out!