Summer Phenix
Summer Phenix
Be Courageous and Be Curious, To Belong and To Become
Be Courageous and Be Curious, To Belong and To Become
When it comes to following dreams and changing the game, Kennedy ‘KR’ Rogers is the definition of courage. As an Atlanta native, Rogers says choosing to attend Spelman was the best decision she's ever made. She notes that Spelman College is intentionally created and curated with black women in mind, an experience you genuinely cannot receive anywhere else. As she grows in her purpose at Spelman, she pours her heart and soul into the student-led drama and dance ensemble Spriggs Burroughs.
Spriggs serves as a space for expression through poetry, music, acting, dancing and sensual performance formulating a distinct separation between pornographic and erotic. Spriggs hosts two productions every academic year, Festival of Eccentrics and Art After Dark, centering artistic autonomy and liberation. Rogers asserts Spriggs Burroughs and theater as a mode of influence.
“People perceive performance arts as extracurricular or hobby, something that you do on the side, but no this is a real true intellectual pursuit. The way in which we go about these shows and tell these stories really does something for the culture, and I truly believe that.”
Spriggs Burroughs was the first RSO table Rogers visited during her freshman year, connecting to her long standing love for drama and theater. After attending her first Festival of Eccentrics soaking in the fun music, beautiful people and pride, she knew there was a story she had to tell and a way to execute it through Spriggs. Her unwavering commitment to the organization is manifested through her roles as president's intern, acting head, play writer, dramaturg for Festival of Eccentrics and now co-director of Art After Dark 2026.
“There is true joy in our organization and even though it is labor it is a labor of love.”
When asked what Spriggs Burroughs meant to her, Rogers had much to share.
“Spriggs’ foundation for success is the collective work of the ensemble and cast, our efforts are rooted in collaboration. Spriggs serves as a family for many of them, our organization truly lets you become something you didn't think you could be; it allows you to do things you didn't think were capable."
Spriggs Burroughs aids creatives with the tools to be able to perform the liberation they seek. Rogers envisions Spriggs as a space of becoming one's true self.
“I’ve always viewed performing like flying. You're limitless, imagining a world where you can and a you that did and I think that's the point of theater and art, to be able to imagine a world where you do fit.”
Being a queer-led group, Rogers reflects on identity and becoming.
“A lot of us have a hard time finding places to belong and become. To be able to show the queer youth the things they want to do, experience and talk about mean something beyond just oppression and marginalization we may face.”
Rogers helped direct and produce a short film highlighting Spriggs Burroughs’ collective methodology that focuses on artistic praxis and the need for student-led theater in HBCU spaces. The film was submitted to Research Day and scored a 39.6 / 40 earning the highest score in theater and performance category and highest overall. After questioning if they’d even place at all, the Spriggs team was elated for this recognition.
“We always knew our work meant something, but now it's been intellectualized,” she said.
When asked what advice she would share with Spelmanites looking to be game changers, Rogers implores students to understand they are not alone in their fears.
“My mantra this academic year is doing things scared, that's where the most generative work comes from. If you feel it in your bones there's nothing that can stop you.”
Spriggs has allowed her to evolve, grow, fall on her face and pick her up after serving as a true home and space of belonging.
“Anticipate and expect the best results because that's what you deserve. You can't halfway do it, do it to the extent you say you will, it can work in ways you didn't imagine and may produce a result you didn't anticipate.”
Kennedy ‘KR’ Rogers is a dynamic burst of light and ambition at Spelman College. In the true game changer spirit and unstoppable determination to situate Spriggs as an intellectual pursuit, KR urges her peers to be courageous and curious.
When it comes to following dreams and changing the game, Kennedy ‘KR’ Rogers is the definition of courage. As an Atlanta native, Rogers says choosing to attend Spelman was the best decision she's ever made. She notes that Spelman College is intentionally created and curated with black women in mind, an experience you genuinely cannot receive anywhere else. As she grows in her purpose at Spelman, she pours her heart and soul into the student-led drama and dance ensemble Spriggs Burroughs.
Spriggs serves as a space for expression through poetry, music, acting, dancing and sensual performance formulating a distinct separation between pornographic and erotic. Spriggs hosts two productions every academic year, Festival of Eccentrics and Art After Dark, centering artistic autonomy and liberation. Rogers asserts Spriggs Burroughs and theater as a mode of influence.
“People perceive performance arts as extracurricular or hobby, something that you do on the side, but no this is a real true intellectual pursuit. The way in which we go about these shows and tell these stories really does something for the culture, and I truly believe that.”
Spriggs Burroughs was the first RSO table Rogers visited during her freshman year, connecting to her long standing love for drama and theater. After attending her first Festival of Eccentrics soaking in the fun music, beautiful people and pride, she knew there was a story she had to tell and a way to execute it through Spriggs. Her unwavering commitment to the organization is manifested through her roles as president's intern, acting head, play writer, dramaturg for Festival of Eccentrics and now co-director of Art After Dark 2026.
“There is true joy in our organization and even though it is labor it is a labor of love.”
When asked what Spriggs Burroughs meant to her, Rogers had much to share.
“Spriggs’ foundation for success is the collective work of the ensemble and cast, our efforts are rooted in collaboration. Spriggs serves as a family for many of them, our organization truly lets you become something you didn't think you could be; it allows you to do things you didn't think were capable."
Spriggs Burroughs aids creatives with the tools to be able to perform the liberation they seek. Rogers envisions Spriggs as a space of becoming one's true self.
“I’ve always viewed performing like flying. You're limitless, imagining a world where you can and a you that did and I think that's the point of theater and art, to be able to imagine a world where you do fit.”
Being a queer-led group, Rogers reflects on identity and becoming.
“A lot of us have a hard time finding places to belong and become. To be able to show the queer youth the things they want to do, experience and talk about mean something beyond just oppression and marginalization we may face.”
Rogers helped direct and produce a short film highlighting Spriggs Burroughs’ collective methodology that focuses on artistic praxis and the need for student-led theater in HBCU spaces. The film was submitted to Research Day and scored a 39.6 / 40 earning the highest score in theater and performance category and highest overall. After questioning if they’d even place at all, the Spriggs team was elated for this recognition.
“We always knew our work meant something, but now it's been intellectualized,” she said.
When asked what advice she would share with Spelmanites looking to be game changers, Rogers implores students to understand they are not alone in their fears.
“My mantra this academic year is doing things scared, that's where the most generative work comes from. If you feel it in your bones there's nothing that can stop you.”
Spriggs has allowed her to evolve, grow, fall on her face and pick her up after serving as a true home and space of belonging.
“Anticipate and expect the best results because that's what you deserve. You can't halfway do it, do it to the extent you say you will, it can work in ways you didn't imagine and may produce a result you didn't anticipate.”
Kennedy ‘KR’ Rogers is a dynamic burst of light and ambition at Spelman College. In the true game changer spirit and unstoppable determination to situate Spriggs as an intellectual pursuit, KR urges her peers to be courageous and curious.