Shades Of Poetry Showcase At The James Baldwin Festival Of Words

A previous Shades of Poetry showcase at the James Baldwin Festival of Words.(Chattanooga Festivals of Black Arts and Ideas)James Baldwin, writer and civil rights activist, was born a hundred years ago this month - on August 2nd, 1924.This weekend, a celebration of his life and work - the James Baldwin Festival of Words - returns to this city, as part of the Chattanooga Festivals of Black Arts and Ideas.The festival begins Friday - and ends Sunday with the Shades of Poetry Artist Talk and Performance Showcase, starting at 3 PM, at RISE Chattanooga at 2901 Taylor Street.I spoke with Erika Roberts, creative strategist and poet - and two artists in the showcase: Synamon Townsend and Wanyä._____For more on this weekend’s James Baldwin Festival of Words, visit the Chattanooga Festivals of Black Arts and Ideas at blackartsandideasfest.com.