Meet Erykah Agers | Community Programs Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erykah Agers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erykah, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Growing up in the Chicago Park District was like being immersed in arts and culture everyday. We had lots of camps, gym shows, all types of dance, boxing, trampoline tumbling, and nutritionists coming in to speak to us about food choices—there was always something big going on. Not only did it serve an important role in the community, but it overall just felt very cool and had a strong vibe of just hipness and coolness. I can’t describe it. It was just the place to be. Whatever you wanted to do in life; the opportunity was there to get better at it. It was more than an environment; it had its own life, and you could feel the love the entire community had, from the children to the staff to the parents. I grew up surrounded by the staff, who were people that loved the community and they all were so talented and creative.

My mom, Charla Harris, a legend in the Chicago Park District, stands as one of my greatest inspirations. Witnessing the profound love parents and children have for her shows the incredible impact one person can have on a community.

Her journey, from the early days at the Chicago Park District to becoming a trailblazer in community programs, started at a community center that was only ONE room. It expanded my mindset and let me know it was not about the facility but about what you set out to do with what you have. If you care enough, you can make something out of nothing.

Motivated by her legacy, I felt a deep calling to continue and extend the impact she had on her community. I wanted to gift people the same sense of connection, belonging, and positivity. I wanted to recreate that feeling that made children feel like they could be whatever they wanted in life just like at the Chicago Park District, right here in the DFW. I thought, “If she could create community programs from a one-room center and just a mat, surely I can come up with something impactful—even if it starts with a community program in a local park.”

Thus, the idea of Discover Camp Garland was born, rooted in the belief that community programs have the power to provide opportunities, shape futures, transform lives, and bring people together. It’s a commitment to continuing to give to the community and inspire all the possibilities of our future to the local youth.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
So, Discover Camp Garland (DCG) kicked off in 2018, but we are now far more than just seasonal leadership and life skill camps. We are a year round organization. Aside from camps we also continue to develop community and family programs, that directly targets our community’s needs.

Our seasonal programs, Summer Camp, Thanksgiving Camp, Winter Camp, and Spring Break Camp, consistently draw in a diverse group of kids. These programs aim to help kids build life skills, develop leadership qualities, and understand the importance of education and exploration. Our hope is that each child leaves not just with new knowledge & beneficial experiences but also feeling more confident to face the world.

Our impact goes beyond the camps. We carefully design unique community events that are for the entire family. These events bring out hundreds of community members, offering access to valuable resources for local families and creating meaningful moments for families and the community to connect. We believe in breaking down barriers – local community resources engage with families, sharing information and becoming integral parts of the community.

A yearly event favorite is our Halloween Spook House! An interactive haunted house designed with kids in mind! It provides a thrilling and safe adventure for all ages, complete with interactive props, games, and photo stations. The joy of seeing kids and families come together for family time, creating memories, and embracing traditions is so heart warming!

At Discover Camp Garland, our focus is on creating an environment where kids can learn, grow, and flourish. It’s not just about having fun; it’s about fostering a sense of community and increasing awareness of opportunities for families in our neighborhood.

One of the most significant shifts occurred when the pandemic hit. With the world on pause and kids stuck at home,  I saw a chance to shake things up and reach people from a distance. Once it sank in that the pandemic was here to stay for a bit, I sat down and brainstormed some cool ideas. The goal was to keep kids active and engaged from afar, filling a gap in their lives.

I wanted DCG to be like nothing else out there, and it worked. Parents could tell the difference and the  level care and creativity that was put into it.  Even though it was all digital at the time, children from all over America got to connect and play together like they were in the same place. I had seven programs going on, and kids were showing up 2 to 3 times a week. So at that time I had to hire staff quickly and really buckle down and start to develop the ideas of what I wanted this to grow into.

We got over 500 registrations for our online programs in just one summer.  It showed me that, even in those difficult times,  I could still reach and connect with our youth and in a way that families could not get in other places. It was a blast and filled a huge gap in their lives, bringing some joy, dynamic activities for brain & body, and connection during those tough times. The reviews really highlighted how DCG became a lifeline for both parents and kids during the pandemic, offering something different from the usual “tutoring” and “home crafts” videos that were everywhere on the internet. To them, it was like a breath of fresh air, making a real impact beyond the ordinary stuff. We continue to do put in that same level of care and creativity with our in person programs as well. That’s the standard.

So whether it’s an ordinary year or the world is facing something unprecedented. We plan to be there for our community.
You can stay informed about our latest programs and learn how you can contribute at https://www.discovercampgarland.com.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love this question!

If I were to plan a trip for a plan coming in town for a week, we would go to Spa Castle in Dallas, we could be there all day long experiencing different types of massages and spa pools. Tour the AT&T Stadium in the AM and try catch a Dallas Mavericks game in the afternoon because we are definitely basketball people! Brunching in Addison, go catch a show at Legacy Hall. We could not let them go back home without going to Cat Bird for the scenic vibes, & Blue Sushi Saki for the best sushi around!!! So essentially spa days / scenic vibes, food, sports and brunch, it doesn’t get more Dallas than that, right? 😅

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to my Grandpa Charles Harris, who grew up picking cotton, but later busted his butt to make sure his family had the best of everything. He is brilliant , a large visionary and his go get it attitude has trickled down into his family for generations. He is the first example of aiming high, working hard, and going for what you want and what is right. His passion shows through all of us.

My amazing mother for being groundbreaking in every way.
She inspired me to not only to continue serving my community with a full heart, she also inspired me to aim high and see no ceiling. Growing up, not only was my mom active in her community, she also was an actress and producer. She was featured in movies like Barbershop 2: Back in Business, you know, “Gina, do I look like Beyoncé?” That was her. But I learned so much about the television industry through her production company Charma Talent Inc. This inspired me to also work in television as a career. Which eventually led me to working for major TV networks likeTLC, Oprah Winfrey Network, HGTV, A&E, Hulu, and more while also working with companies like Adidas and Starbucks. This was all because she made it an attainable goal by seeing her work hard and follow her dreams.

My family. No matter how crazy an idea I have is, they are always there to help work out the details and help pull it to the finish line. Nothing would be possible without them. So thank you Uncle Chris, Auntie Tabitha, Diane, Dar’ren, Nina, Marlo.

Last but certainly not least I want to express my deep appreciation for all the wonderful volunteers show up for their community and help DCG with our community programs year round.  Thank you to the organizations and community members, helping pull together major events and dedicating their time, skills, and love.  With the contribution of volunteers, and contributions from corporations,  we are able to greatly increase our reach and impact. Thank you!

Website: www.discovercampgarland.com

Instagram: @DiscoverCampGarland

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/discover-camp-garland/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DiscoverCampGarland

Other: Volunteer with us! Help make a difference! https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org1212595.jsp#org_btf_block