On Thursday, the Carolina Union Auditorium hosted Ebony Readers/Onyx Theatre for their fall showcase. EROT is the oldest spoken word group on UNC's campus, as well as the University's only historically Black poetry organization.

President Mariah Snuggs said that the organization is open to Black and Brown students with interests in writing and performing their own original works.

"Our organization is kind of like a supportive collective of Black and Brown artists that we use to churn out ideas with each other, get support and talk about how to help the community," she said.

The showcase, titled "The Haunting Hour", featured two acts of spoken word poetry and a multi-genre, performance-filled intermission. The theme of haunting was left intentionally vague, allowing for each performer to explore what truly haunts them.

"We all got around the table and we decided we could write about past ghosts or things that haunt us as kind of an umbrella topic for processing trauma," Snuggs said.

Poets chose to interpret the theme in a variety of ways. Some focused on childhood experiences -- alcoholic parents or absent mother figures. Others were haunted by lost or struggling loved ones.

Snuggs said that, ultimately, she hopes EROT can help performers feel inspired and empowered to take up space unapologetically.

"That's all I'm really hoping for people to get out of our show, is just like that feeling of getting some power back in them and realizing their individuality is important and necessary," she said.

Taylor McGlashing, EROT's social media manager and a performer, said that writing their piece for the showcase allowed them to better acknowledge and process their own experiences.