We Speak, We Write, We Do Language: The Poets’ Society
“This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.”
This powerful quote by the great Toni Morrison has been stuck in my mind lately.
I’ve been thinking about what it means to use art as a tool for collective healing and examining history to find examples of it in practice. But I’ve also been wondering how today's artists are responding to all the things happening around us. I imagine authors suddenly cured of writer's block, writing frantically into the wee hours of the morning, composers arranging loud, emotionally charged pieces, painters pouring their souls onto the canvas, and the poets…
The poets, crafting language into beautiful stanzas dripping in meaning so deep you’re left stuck, reflecting on every word.
I'm a lover of all things art and creative expression, but something about poetry has always hit different.
If you’re a millennial like me, your first experience with poetry might have come in the 90s, browsing over your Mama’s coffee table, flipping through books with heavy-hitter names like Maya Angelou and Nikki Giovanni gracing the covers.
Or maybe you were also like me and spent hours binge-watching Def Poetry Jam in the early days of YouTube, analyzing performances by Neo Soul pioneers bar for bar, until you were completely undone.
No matter what your relationship to poetry is, you need to know about the Poets’ Society, a Black-led collective, the movement they’re building here in Coastal Georgia, and how you can experience the magic for yourself.
The Emergence of the Poets’ Society
Creators of the Poets’ Society, Stephanie Cooper (left) and Courtney Lucas (right). Photo provided.
The Poets’ Society first caught my eye last year when I saw that they had several events here in Brunswick and down in Camden County. I got to sit down with two of the creators of the society, Courtney Lucas and Stephanie Cooper and learn more about the intention behind it and what they have coming up for the community to tap in with their word play!
When asked how the Poets’ Society came to be, Stephanie recalled:
“If I can remember, Courtney had a poetry event at Brown Butter Shoppe in 2024 (when it was located on Gloucester). After the event was over, we all stood around talking about how much fun we had. Then, we ‘joked’ about taking it on the road. We started making plans, BIG plans.”
That energy, the kind that bubbles over in between the official moments, was the spark.
Courtney Lucas remembers:
“An organic conversation that unfolded after one of my poetry events, where several poets gathered and lingered long after the evening officially ended… There was a shared longing for a consistent space where poetry, conversation, and community could live together.”
What It Means to Them
Poets from The Poets’ Society gathered inside Brown Butter Shoppe during a 2024 event, photo provided by Courtney Lucas and Stephanie Cooper.
When asked what the Poets’ Society means to them personally, Stephanie was clear:
“Freedom. Freedom to express your innermost thoughts without judgment or shame.”
She believes that being able to express in words what others would feel ashamed to admit even to themselves is powerful and liberating.
Courtney added that to her, it is a “safe and sacred space”—not only for poets but for anyone who deeply loves words and the art of expression.
“It is a place where voices are honored, emotional experiences are respected, and different perspectives are welcomed with care. It allows us to gather, listen to one another, and be reminded that we are not alone in what we’ve lived or felt.”
A Reflection of the Work They Do
Both Stephanie and Courtney are published poets, but beyond that, they’re community healers. For Stephanie, the movement reflects her personal growth:
“It reflects who I am because usually I do not share personal things with people outside of my mother and one or two trusted friends. When I write poetry it feels like I can say whatever I want, and I usually do :).”
Courtney connected her work as a healer and advocate to the intention behind the collective, noting that much of her day-to-day work centers around healing—particularly in spaces connected to trauma, expression, and relational awareness.
“Writing has been one of the most consistent tools in my own life for coping, self-awareness, accountability, and reflection. It has helped me understand my experiences, recognize my boundaries, and see both myself and others with greater clarity and compassion.”
What Makes the Poets’ Society Different?
“Laid-back, yet deeply intentional,” Courtney says. What makes this space unique is its ability to pause, read the room, and truly honor the shared experiences.
“It is a respectful and safe space that also knows how to keep things real… where celebration and vulnerability coexist, where listening is just as valued as speaking. It’s not about performance alone; it’s about presence, resonance, and mutual respect.”
A Valentine’s Night to Remember: Whispers & Wine
The Poets’ Society is bringing that intentional energy to their next big gathering. Expect “an elegant experience centered on elevation and celebration,” Courtney shared. “It’s designed to feel warm, affirming, and expansive.” This Valentine’s Day, they are taking over Driftwood Wine and Cocktails (205 Gloucester Street) for a night titled Driftwood After Dark: Whispers & Wine. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and tickets are selling fast on Eventbrite! This gathering will focus on love in all its forms—honoring connection, intimacy, and joy.
The night features an incredible lineup of local voices:
* Reagan Flowers (“Authenticitee”): A truth-teller whose words serve as a mirror and a refuge.
* Charmaine Richardson (“Poetic Meezy”): Bringing rhythmic bars of love and connection.
* Alexandria Lashea: A rhythmic powerhouse known for defying the laws of grammar to make every word hit the mark.
Why Community Matters
“I’ve been longing for a communal poetry space for a long time, and at this moment it feels essential,” Courtney said. She believes that community allows poets to bring their voices and stories to the table to dine together and receive from one another. “We are living in a world where isolation is common, and poetry reminds us that we are not alone.” Through language, community becomes both a mirror and a refuge.
Looking Ahead
Courtney Lucas and Stephanie Cooper. Photo provided.
Both women agree—this is just the beginning. Stephanie reflected on how her writing journey has been shaped by her faith and her survival:
“The Lord has allowed writing to be therapeutic for me, especially being a survivor of trauma. When my mouth cannot speak, my hands speak for me through writing. I speak from being in the trenches through trauma, heartache, pain, love, joy, etc. It’s real.”
Courtney closed with a powerful vision for a moving, living community:
“My hope for the future of the Poets’ Society is continued growth and consistency… I want it to be a space that people in our community, and surrounding communities, genuinely look forward to. I see this becoming a moving, living community that continues to create connection wherever it goes.”
Follow and Support the Poets:
Stephanie Cooper (Simply Steph)
* IG, FB, TikTok, Threads: @blessedisshethatbelieved
* 📚 Books: Available at Brown Butter Shoppe (1614 Newcastle Street), Amazon, and blessedisshethatbelieved.com
Courtney Lucas (C Luv Speaks)
* Facebook: @Courtney Lucas
* Instagram: @CLuv_Speaks
* 🌐 Website: www.cluvspeaks.com
* 📚 Book: Poetically Preserved available at Makers Brunswick (1212 Newcastle Street) and Amazon.
Reporting and story compilation by Courtney K. McGill, founder of Black-Owned Brunswick.
