The Firey Souls of LLP

I became an honorary member of Soul Fire!

     Do you have a passion for poetry? Slam or classic? Are you a poet searching for a group of like-minded students to help you develop your craft? Are you looking for a healthy outlet for all that emotion building up in your soul? Then, do I have the scoop for you! Allow me to highlight the passionate members of TSU’s spoken word poets. 
      Under the tutelage of Dr. Michelle Pinkard and Tia Smedly,a poet mentor from Southern Word, the members of Soul Fire hold weekly meetings, every Wednesday at 5 PM in Davis Humanities room 103. Their first meeting was last Wednesday. 
     Dr. Pinkard focuses on poetry of the page while Ms. Smedley specializes in performance skill. Of course, anyone interested in poetry is welcome to attend these meetings. I can attest to the fact that newcomers can expect as warm a reception as long time members. From the moment I walked into the room, I was met with wild enthusiasm and excitement. The legitimate power that you will encounter in these meetings is nothing to shake your finger at. 
     I was left in awe by the beautiful tapestries of words they produced in the first thirty minutes of brainstorming. Watching the intense focus and concentration radiate from ever person in the room was awe-inspiring. Even I was tempted to write a little. I encourage all of you to keep an eye out at this year’s oratorical contest for a peek at some of their talent.
   If you’re a budding poet who still experiences a good amount of shyness when sharing your work, I cannot stress enough the importance of the kind support this group offers. At the same time, the group, especially its professional mentors, is also adept in providing the kind of constructive criticism more experienced poets crave.  
     Learn more about the grouip by viewing:Soul Fire Mini-Documentary Or, visit their facebook page by clicking here I Want to Write Student Organizations.

Written by: Lynne Barras

Meet Our New Social Media Intern - Fall 2018

Tarrolyn Barras

Good morning, afternoon, or night to you -- whenever you’re checking out this post! My name is Tarrolyn Brielle Barras, but henceforth you will see me referred to as Lynne. I am the new Social Media Intern here on beautiful Tennessee State University’s Language, Literature, and Philosophy blog.

I was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, but Nashville has become as much my home in these past couple of years. I am an English major, graduating this coming May of 2019. My short term goals are as follows:

1.      Bring you quality content that will enrich you in some shape or form.
2.      Write. For an audience of not just teachers.
3.      Strive for that perfect 4.0 GPA this and every semester.
4.      Get into somebody’s “paid for” Graduate program. 

My long term goal is to become a successful writer who inspires others to be the positive change they want in the world.

What I really want to see is engagement from all of you. Be ye teacher, student (current or prospective), or alumni, I want to engage you.  We will explore what is happening around campus, and what’s going on in the LLP world. I hope for some intriguing responses, and that you enjoy what you see from me this semester. I intend to give you 210% and to make you all proud.