TENAFLY—Poetry takes center stage at the Presbyterian Church at Tenafly on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 4 p.m., when the church’s adventurous arts outreach program welcomes acclaimed poet, artist, and changemaker Tami Luchow to headline a Poet’s Café.
Church leaders say they are honored to host Luchow, a Tenafly resident whose work reflects themes of inclusion, empowerment, and creativity. We’re told attendees can expect to be inspired by her recently published collection as well as her life’s philosophy, which challenges audiences to live fully and authentically.
In addition to being a published poet and artist, Luchow brings a remarkably varied background: she is a leadership consultant, keynote speaker, writer, actor, and former journalist with NBC News. She also once competed internationally as a ski racer.
Today, she leads workshops nationwide on leadership, belonging, diversity and inclusion, and self-care. Her programs ask participants to actively consider how workplaces and communities change when we explore what it means—and feels like—to be different, whether visibly or invisibly.
Luchow embodies the belief that “our strength as people is that we are all unique.” Her workshops encourage participants to embrace her guiding mantras: Dare to Be You™, Dare to Dream™, and Dare to Be™.
She describes her most recent book, Poems for A Memory, as “written with passion, energy, and the commitment of life experience.”
The collection seeks to create space for people with visible and invisible disabilities, along with their families, caregivers, and communities, to feel seen, heard, valued, and respected. Its pages challenge readers to seek action, build community, and help create a better world.
The work reflects Luchow’s vision of a society where people who live with differences—including those with mental health conditions, physical disabilities, neurodiversity, learning differences, sensory impairments, chronic illness, or belonging to marginalized social groups—are no longer pushed aside but instead have “A Seat at Dis Table.” The collection ends with a heartfelt plea to readers to “Join the Circle” and help make lasting change.
Luchow’s artistry extends beyond the page. Her multimedia installation The Dis Tour, recently on view at Westbeth Gallery in New York City, featured photography, sculpture, mobiles, graphic design, and interactive works. The exhibit amplified voices from across the nation and abroad, championing representation and visibility for marginalized communities while fostering a shared sense of humanity.
Visitors to the Poet’s Café are encouraged to bring their own favorite poems to share. There will also be opportunities to write creatively under Luchow’s guidance, and copies of Poems for A Memory will be available.
Pastor Martin Ritchie expressed the congregation’s enthusiasm for the evening: “We’re very happy that such a talented local artist will be showcased in this event that’s also designed to encourage participation. Come along and be inspired!”
The event is free. It will be held in the Church House of the Presbyterian Church at Tenafly, 55 Magnolia Ave.
The Poet’s Café is part of the church’s cultural outreach program, which aims to build community connections through events such as book launches, concerts, and art exhibits. Collaborating with local artists, organizers say, is one of the program’s distinguishing features.
About Tami Luchow
Tami Luchow is a Tenafly-based poet, artist, and changemaker. A former NBC News journalist and international ski racer, she is now a leadership consultant, keynote speaker, actor, and writer. Her workshops on diversity, inclusion, and self-care challenge audiences to “DARE TO BE YOU™” and embrace uniqueness. Her latest book, Poems for A Memory, uplifts people with visible and invisible disabilities and calls for greater representation and respect.