DaVerse Works is a spoken word performance and youth development program for middle and high school students, providing a safe haven for self-expression. The program integrates a formal curriculum—that teaches critical literacy skills through spoken word and poetry—with open-mic showcases for teens and young adults. This is a program of education nonprofit Big Thought (http://www.bigthought.org/) and Journeyman Ink (http://journeymanink.com/).

If you’re new to The Gathering, we would love for you to join us for our Newcomers Luncheon. It’ll be a great opportunity to get to know others who are new to the community as well as some of us who’ve been around for a while.

A class about our story – who we are, what we believe, and why we do things the way we do them. While it’s not a requirement,  those interested can stay to learn how to become a Covenant Partner.

Morgana Wilborn’s approach to photography is based on my appreciation for humanity.  To find the beauty in the imperfections of man. The ability to acknowledge that beauty in ways that communicate each individual’s unique story and truth.  My photos paint a simplistic reality of an otherwise complicated landscape.  I hope that through my art we can learn to find ways to communicate the stories, people, places and things we see before us and the very same things we choose not to see.

My current body of work is entitled, K.L.R.D. G.R.L.S.  It is a photographic homage to the classic choreo poem entitled “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf” by Ntozake Shange.  Like the play, I wanted to capture and celebrate the rich stories of women of color.  Questioning what makes us so colorful and unique, beyond that which is skin deep?  These thoughts led me to want to bring a new meaning to the phrase “colored girl”.  Creating a movement that empowers and unites all women of color.  Allowing women of color to define ourselves in our own way. Embracing our individual color auras, personalities, histories, cultures, hair types, languages and skin tones.

The opening reception will be held on Saturday, March 10, from 6-8pm.