Soul Fire Returns Next Week

"Don't call it a comeback, they've been here for years..."

By Amauri Barnes

First Meeting of Year: Sept 13

      Soul Fire Poetry group will have its first meeting of the semester next week and my interview with the groups found, Dr. Michelle J. Pinkard revealed a lot about the group's history and plans for the future. 

    Soul Fire has been at Tennessee State for nearly 10 years now! Pinkard explained. “Soul Fire is a poetry workshop and community where attendees get tips on how to write, read, and perform poetry while trying to learn what it means to live a poetry inspired life!” 

    The workshop was inspired by Pinkard's own interest and scholarship. In 2014, she partnered with Southern Word, a nonprofit that supports literacy through the vehicle of poetry. “With every Soul Fire Workshop,  we get to meet with a professional spoken word poet from Southern Word while I offer tips for poetry on the page” explained Pinkard.

    Personally, I love to be involved in things that are not only fun and a hobby, but also where I can take away something.  Pinkard agrees,  “Essentially learning about poetry, learning how to write poetry, and learning how to perform poetry helps attendees become better writers, thinkers, and contributors to this thing called humanity." 

     Lastly and most importantly, I asked Pinkard how does this prepare attendees for life after college. She said, “Mastering language helps students master their reality.  Becoming better communicators will only solidify their chance of becoming productive members of society."

     I always love to hear when workshops are successful and active after multiple years! In the Spring it will be a WHOLE DECADE! Should we be on the lookout for a special celebration? Stay up to date with this blog to find out.

Throwback video from Soul Fire's Inaugural year 2014