Langston Stovall profiles Demhaj Coffee & Poetry Lounge, a place mixing coffee and poetry in a cultural blend right on Main Street.

Having moved from Florida to Greensboro, she discovered the space almost immediately. “I
came up here, and on my second day, I came to Demhaj because I was already on the hunt for a
way to get my voice out there, to really dive into this craft and see where it could take me,”
Nyabi Stevens shared.

Every Thursday night, the Demhaj Poetry Lounge in High Point becomes a haven for creative
expression, offering a space for poets and audiences to connect, share, and heal. This Black
woman-owned venue stands as a beacon of inclusivity and artistic freedom, where every voice is
celebrated and every story has a place.

For Stevens, a poet who has been part of the Demhaj community for the past six months, the
lounge is much more than an open mic night—it’s a second home. Stevens’ poetry is deeply
personal, often weaving in themes of racial identity and social consciousness. One of her pieces,
Phases of a Traffic Stop, explored a recent encounter she had with law enforcement, capturing
the emotional turbulence that followed.

“My inspiration derives from the origin of poetry, which is pretty hip-hop,” Stevens explained.
“Hip-hop is all about being aware of the social injustices going on around you. Growing up in
predominantly Black spaces all my life and attending an HBCU, I feel it’s my duty to preach the
truth through my work.”

Stevens’ performances are raw and vulnerable, a reflection of her belief that poetry is about “the
willingness to release what’s inside of you.”

For Stevens, Demhaj is the perfect space to do just that. “Miss Bridget, the owner, claimed me as
one of her own from day one. She’s created a space that is not judgmental, and we need places
like that,” Stevens said.

Another poet, LE from the Void, presented a chilling piece titled Preacher Man, which delved
into the sensitive subject of religious abuse. The poem held the audience captive, weaving a
haunting narrative that explored themes of power, trust, and betrayal. LE described how Demhaj
had helped them grow both as an artist and as a person.

“I usually like to stay in the background, but this space pushes me to get out of my comfort
zone,” they said. LE discovered Demhaj through a friend and has been attending events since
October.

“It’s very warm and open here,” they said. “I’ve always felt safe. That sense of community
makes all the difference.”

The energy at Demhaj is magnetic, drawing poets of all ages and backgrounds to share their
work. While some poems reflect deep personal struggles or social injustices, others celebrate
love, identity, and the complexities of human connection. On this particular night, love was a
recurring theme, with several poets offering heartfelt tributes to relationships and romance. The
diversity of voices and stories is what makes Demhaj special—it’s a place where everyone’s truth
matters.

This openness to vulnerability is one of the reasons Demhaj has become such a vital part of
Greensboro’s creative community. It’s not just a performance venue; it’s a sanctuary.
Demhaj Poetry Lounge is proof of the transformative power of poetry. Every Thursday night,
poets and audiences alike leave Demhaj with a little more courage, a little more hope, and a lot
more inspiration.

Stevens expressed it best: “This place reflects who I am and what I stand for.”