Artwork by Tiffani Dean – Photo by Jody Austin

The mutual support and love demonstrated by survivors of all kinds at the free event Survivor Knights Philadelphia on Saturday, January 21st was truly beautiful. Artists, speakers and poets gathered at the Rotunda on Walnut Street in University City to share their experiences on canvas and onstage.

As people walked around the space taking in the powerful imagery from artists Charlene Lutz (Muse Gallery), Brian Cardoza (The Broken Knee Club and Survivor Knights), Kathleen Mosher (MsMoArt), Mariellen Cressman, Jody Austin aka TruStory (CEO/President The Collective Mic, LLC), and Tiffani Dean aka La Diva Noire (COO/vice-President The Collective Mic, LLC), deep conversations could be heard in every corner about what it means to survive and how survivors can care for one another.

Later in the afternoon the speakers took the stage and filled the room with a hopeful cry for understanding. Inspiring words from Zahra Diallo, Michael Broussard (author and performer of the one man interactive play Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor), Bonnell Williams, Kellie Springer (author of Relentless: A Journey of Forgiveness), Brian Cardoza (author of The Unexpected Victim), Edna J. White (author of Stuff!: Giving the Secret a Voice), Jody Austin, and Tiffani Dean elicited frequent and enthusiastic applause.

As the event wound down people could be heard making plans for the next one, and the next one after that.

Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor would like to thank Survivor Knights founder Brian Cardoza for giving us the opportunity to host this amazing event.

Thanks also go out to the following, for their invaluable assistance: Rotunda Director Gina Renzi, Rotunda Intern Andrew Simpson, audio tech Styx Latte, and volunteer Jennifer Cutler.

If you are interested in hosting a Survivor Knights event in your area, please contact Brian Cardoza at [email protected] or visit www.brokenkneeclub.org or www.facebook.com/SurvivorKnights.

The next Survivor Knights event will be Chasing Immortality on Saturday, January 28th at the New Bern Civic Theatre in New Bern, North Carolina.