Urban Sustainability Series-- Planting Your Fall Garden
Wednesday, September 3, 7:00-8:30pm
The best local food is the food that grows in your very own yard! Ready to start growing some of your own, but not sure how to begin? Join us to learn everything you need to know before you start your fall vegetable garden. Topics will include what to plant when, varieties that do well in Atlanta, and how to prepare your garden bed for optimal production. Presented by Cathy Merckens of Lane's End Farm.
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Parenthood: To Be or Not To Be?
Thursday, September 5, 7:30-9:00pm
Join Betty Wood for a discussion of one of the most challenging and life-changing decisions an individual or couple ever makes: deciding when or if they choose to parent children. The LGBT community may encounter societal challenges that encompass more than the personal choice to parent. During this program participants will explore practical and personal assets along with their deepest dreams and desires that bring them to the point of actively planning to invite a child into their lives. They may choose to parent children through childbirth, adoption, foster parenting, or blended families. Some may choose to become a significant adult in a child's life without becoming a parent. No matter what the choice may be, participants are offered the opportunity to begin consciously exploring their options and working toward a decision which is best for them at this time in their lives. Betty R. Wood, M.S. works as a personal coach and educational consultant in Atlanta. She has over 30 years experience working with families and children. You may learn more about her work at www.bettyrwoodms.com
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Film Screenings: The Coat Hanger Project & Abortion Democracy
Friday,  September 5, 8:00-9:30pm

Young Women* Writers
Monday, September 8 & 22, 5:00-6:15pm
This group is open to all young women* writers ages 14-19. Through facilitated writing prompts and supportive critique, participants are encouraged to raise their voices and express themselves through a variety of written mediums. Writers of all skill levels and genres are encouraged to stop in and see if the group works for them. This group meets the second and fourth Mondays of every month from 5-6:15pm. Please direct inquiries to elizabeth@chariscircle.org.  *Trans inclusive
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Writing with Intent
Monday, September 8 & 22, 6:30-8:30pm
This facilitated group is open to all writers of fiction and creative non-fiction who want a serious group to provide constructive criticism, motivational exercises, and interpersonal accountability to keep their writing on track. We will do monthly exercises and critiques with an eye towards individual improvement and the eventual goal of publication. Writers are encouraged to bring copies of their work to share for critique. The group meets the second Monday of each month from 7:00-8:30pm. Please direct inquiries to elizabeth@chariscircle.org
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Exploring Genders Through Reading
Wednesday, September 10, 7:00-8:30pm
This facilitated book group meets on the second Wednesday of each month to discuss books that explore gender identity and representation. Join us in September to talk about Queer Theory, Gender Theory by Riki Wilchins.
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Nell Rodgers with Beyond Best
Thursday, September 11, 7:30-9:00pm
Learn what everyone should know about the sneaky ways your "stories" and history run your present-day lives. See how we automatically are held back in life even when we would prefer to change. Take home a technique which permits you to move away from patterns that not longer serve you. Dr. Nell Rodgers, author of Beyond Best: Peak Performance in Changing Times, will tell-it-like-is in this practical, inspiring program.
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Stephane Dunn with "Baad Bitches" & Sassy Supermamas
Friday, September 12, 8:00-9:30pm
Local author and Morehouse College professor, Stephane Dunn, has written a lively study that explores the sexualized, subordinate positioning of women in low-budget blaxploitation action films. Her book, "Baad Bitches" & Sassy Supermamas: Black Power Action Films, is hot off the press. Come hear Stephane at Charis as she talks about a distinct moment in the history of African American representation in popular cinema, touching on Black Power and feminist influences. Following the discussion, Stephane will sign copies of her book for fans. read more...

Film Screening & Discussion-- Beyond Disability: The Fe Fe Stories
Wednesday, September 17, 7:00-8:30pm
Join Charis for the next installment of our Disability Activism Series as we watch and discuss the film "Beyond Disability: The Fe Fe Stories." In the film, The Empowered Fe Fes (slang for female), a group of young women with disabilities, hit the streets of Chicago on a quest to discover the difference between how they see themselves and how others see them. Their revelations are humorous, thought provoking and surprising. As the young women grapple with issues as diverse as access, education, employment, sexuality and growing up with disabilities, they address their audience with a sense of urgency, as if to say, "I need to tell you so you'll see me differently."
**Please RSVP with at least 2 weeks advance notice if you need ASL interpretation for the discussion part of this program (the film itself is captioned).

Cliterati Open No-Mic Featuring Lita Hooper
Thursday, September 18, 7:30-9:00pm
Charis & Cliterati pair up to present an inviting and fierce, open mic & reading series on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Hosted by the anarchic spoken word team of Karen G and Theresa Davis, members of the Art Amok Slam Team, this series cultivates the voices of authors, novices and an assortment of poets, songstresses and story tellers. Cliterati is 7 years old and counting, open to all because ALL OPEN MOUTHS HAVE A VOICE. This month's Cliterati will feature a performance by Lita Hooper, a poet, photographer and educator whose work has appeared in several major anthologies (including The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South), two self-published chap books, and a variety of online and print journals
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Queer Literary Fiction Book Group
Wednesday, September 24, 7:00-8:30pm
This facilitated book group meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Charis to discuss books which feature queer characters/ storylines as well as a strong attention to literary craft and style. The book selection for September is Coffee Will Make You Black, by April Sinclair.
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