Meet LyriK Hunter | CEO/Co-Owner/House Poet/Artist (The Brown Sugah Lounge)

The Brown Sugah Lounge (Poetry Group) believes in remaining humble at all times, servicing our community as much as we possibly can, expanding awareness around the Dallas poetry scene, being supportive to fellow poets, encouraging healing through artistic expression (s), working together as a strong and solid team of trusted and talented team members, and providing a memorable and valuable experience like no other poetry lounge/group in Dallas. We strive daily, to provide excellent and top-tier customer service, in addition to creating a family oriented environment, that remains intimate and comfortable, allowing all individuals (both experienced and new poets) to freely express with no judgment.

It is important to our entire team, to maintain a safe space for all to feel free to release through poetic expressions, in a welcoming and safe space, that feels like home!

On my personal Journey as an artist, I am most proud of fighting through my fears and actually stepping out on faith to let the world hear me Roar!! I have always been artistic, but was afraid to be in the spotlight and allowing my light to shine. Doing so has always made me nervous, so I tended to shy away from it out of fear of being judged and did not allow myself to share my creativity with the world. My team actually pushed me well before “The Brown Sugah Lounge” existed, and because of them and all of the many supporters in my corner, I have continued to let my voice stretch out across Dallas and other cities and states, in ways that I never imagined I ever could or would even dare to try.

The journey has not been easy; however, I am determined to reach the masses in hopes of touching lives all over the world, by sharing my life stories and experiences through my poetry, and also inviting others to do the same, so that we may all heal ourselves and this world through our artistic expressions.

Overcoming the challenges along the way can be difficult at times, but when you change your mindset, you can change the world and create a whole new life for yourself and those around you.

Some of the lessons I have learned along the way are to never be afraid to be myself, always and continuously stay humble, consistently show love even when it isn’t reciprocated, and always give the world good vibes, bright smiles, and big hugs!! No matter how hard things get, there’s always something to be thankful for.

The world needs to know that “The Brown Sugah Lounge” is not just a poetry group, we are a movement, we are a team, we are a family, and we are here to stay. When you see us in the streets, supporting and loving on our people, or even at our 4th Saturday open-mic poetry events, you will never forget how deep the love is, because again, we move as a unit, #DrippinBrownSugah all over the city together, in Unison, and we always bring the #GoodVibes. #FollowTheDrip and remember to #StayDrippin with Love…Always!

Hmmmm, good question!!

Definitely have to catch up with the family at Pan-African connection and do some shopping, dancing and drumming if possible. Check out the family at The Art-inspired Healing collective. Catch some live entertainment, good drinks and good food at The Free Man and Thibodeaux’s. Maybe hear a little music from Soulful Soundz Party Band, #Mandi (Amanda Maxfield), The Found (Band), Freakwency (The Band), Shayla Sweetz (Singer/Song writer). Catch some poetry if you can at a Masterpiece F.L.O.W show, Black Canvas, Poetic Impulse, and of course, The Brown Sugah Lounge. Try to grab you some vegan food from Hope Boys or The Vegan Black pin-up and/or check-out a couple other black-owned restaurants in the city. Stop by a couple day parties with Quality Events Dallas and Mature Party Crowd at Lava Cantina (Q. Coleman), Urban Travel and Ent, or stop by Sandaga 813. Maybe even catch some comedy with the “Ratt Packs Of Comedy”, Brandon Medlock, Blaq Ron or Celebrity the Comedian. Catch a workout class or two with “Essence of Motion” (Shannon) or “W.O.W” (Olivia). Stop by to support the “Women With Purpose Tour”, if there’s anything going on, and you definitely have to go dance the night away at Heroes Lounge, where the Caribbean vibes are always on high!

I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to my TBSL team! (Reign Ifa-Co-Owner/House Poet/Host/Hype Man, Alchemy-Contracting Consultant/House Poet/Host/Assistant, Gno-Ambassador/Assistant/Host/Poet, Alex “SpokenWord” Frazier-House Poet/Host/Security, Keith “Big Brotha All-Mighty” Boykins-House Poet/Host/Security, Metcher Maa- House Poet/Host/Security, Nadia Thomas-In House Drink Vendor/Owner of “Drank Me Out”, Te Mathis- Manager and Door Host)

We move as a unit in all that we do. The Brown Sugah Lounge is successful because we are determined to be successful, TOGETHER! In our house, no one seeks to outshine anyone, we all push each other to be our greatest selves in all that we do, and we work hard at making sure the image and energy we put out into the world, is exactly what we seek for ourselves and those around us, both individually and collectively, and always #GoodVibesOnly. We each have our own unique creative styles, and yet still, WE ARE ONE!

WE ARE, “THE BROWN SUGAH LOUNGE”! Come visit us soon!

#FollowTheDrip