SHAWNA FOUNDATION LIBRARY POETRY TOUR
IN Milford AND Uxbridge
The Shawna Foundation presents The Library Poetry Tour, bringing live poetry readings to the Milford Town Library and the Uxbridge Free Library quarterly throughout 2025. The readings will be held quarterly, hosted by our new Poetry Program Director, Kathy Stoker.
The February Readings features Kathy Stoker & Nanayaa Dadzie
February 19th February 27th
Milford Town Library Uxbridge Free Public Library
80 Spruce Street 15 N Main Street
7:00PM 7:00PM
The program is financed in part by the Milford Cultural Council, the Uxbridge Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Kathy Stoker is the new Host and Director of the Shawna Foundation’s Poetry Program. She is a 25+ year secondary English/Journalism teacher, adjunct college professor of communications and English, and education consultant.
She currently is in the role of education coordinator for New England Medical Group (an adolescent behavioral health program). Kathy is a former high school slam poetry coach as well as a poetry club advisor.
She has written poetry, short stories, and letters since her middle school years (many decades ago!). After teaching incarcerated individuals in a medium security prison, Kathy is writing a collection of poems and vignettes to humanize her former students and break down the stigma surrounding incarcerated individuals.
Kathy loves watching all New England sports, spending time with family and friends, drinking tea, and listening to podcasts and music. She lives in Milford with her family, including the cat Wallace.
Nanayaa Dadzie is a 20 year old poet who is currently earning her associate degree in liberal arts at Quinsigamond Community College.
She is a first generation Ghanaian American and an equal rights advocate. When Nanayaa was in high school, she led an equal rights movement in Westborough, MA to implement a non-discrimination, no-tolerance policy in the student handbook for Westborough High School.
Nanayaa loves anything and everything to do with art. She grew up with her Grandpa Henry playing the trumpet and his record collection. He gave Nanayaa and her brother their love for music. In 2022, she won the Senior Library Award. Recently, Nanayaa has been performing her poetry at local open mics. She currently lives in Westborough with her family.
Previous Readings
