Courtnay Nicole “The Poet”: An Evening of Poetry, Music & Unfiltered Truth

Spoken Word Artist | Vocalist | Creative Visionary | Cultural Curator

Before she created stages for others, she was born to command one.

A native of Awendaw, South Carolina, Courtnay Coan is a dynamic spoken word artist, vocalist, rapper, and creative visionary whose commanding voice, unapologetic storytelling, and magnetic stage presence leave audiences captivated.

Her artistic journey began under the guidance of her grandmother, Minnie Alston, who recognized her gift and introduced her to the performing arts. Courtnay went on to study Theatre Arts at the Charleston County School of the Arts, laying the foundation for a career rooted in expression, creativity, and connection.

A trailblazer in the Lowcountry’s creative scene, Courtnay has spent nearly two decades cultivating cultural experiences, including Neo Soul Sunday in Charleston and Columbia (2009), The Erotic Poetry Show (2011), Charleston Wears Black (2015), and The Bonfire (2018).

Blending poetry, soul, hip-hop, humor, and the raw truths of lived experience, Courtnay doesn’t simply perform — she makes audiences feel, reflect, laugh, and remember.

She is more than an artist. She is a storyteller, a culture shaper, and a force who knows how to turn a microphone into a moment.