Robert Pinsky said that New Jersey is the most poetic state. The Hoboken Historical Museum couldn’t agree more.

Please join us and Poet in Residence Danny Shot for “Jersey Grown,” a special celebration of Garden State born-and-raised poets representing Paterson, Jersey City, and Central Jersey. This special event will be taking place during Black History Month on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 4pm at the Hoboken Historical Museum.

Featured readers include: reg e gaines, Shakira Joi, Talena Lachelle Queen, and Rashad Wright.

reg e gaines is a poet and Grammy and TONY nominated playwright who was born and raised in Jersey City. His newest play Tiers, which premiered this past year in New York, is loosely inspired by gaines’ formative years in Jersey City in the 1970s.

Shakira Joi, a proud Jersey-born author, techie, poet, and educator, inspires change where tech, creativity, empowerment, and poetic expression collide. Known for her vibrant energy and thought-provoking work, she’s a dynamic speaker with over a decade of experience as a college lecturer, addressing topics like race, gender, and technology. Shakira’s poetry is a celebration of self-love, liberation, and empowerment, amplifying the voices of women and people of color. Her latest release, Stages of a Woman, is a transformative self-healing poetry workbook and the first in an inspiring series. When she’s not writing, Shakira is blending tech and artistry to spark meaningful conversations. Connect with her at www.beautifuljoi.com or follow her journey on IG: @Beautiful_Joi.

Talena Lachelle Queen is a multifaceted luminary deeply rooted in her native Paterson, New Jersey. In addition to being Poet Laureate of Paterson, New Jersey, since 2018, Queen is the founder and Executive Director of the Paterson Poetry Festival now in its eighth year. She is also the founder and president of Word Seed, Inc. a team of literary artists who organize community outreach programs. Her publications include a forthcoming poetry collection How Do I Tell Them (Poets Wear Prada). Her work has been included in many publications including Soup Can Magazine, LitFuse Anthology, When Women Speak, and Clamor. Beyond her artistic and academic pursuits, Queen is a fervent community advocate. Her columns in Tapinto Paterson are critical conversations that deepen the dialogue on social issues.

Rashad Wright was Jersey City’s inaugural Poet Laureate, holding office from 2019-2020. Rashad is the former host of Mana Mic, now turned Proto Mic. He was the Grand Slam Champion of New Jersey Slam and Jersey City Slam, and alongside New Jersey in 2023 placed second in the country at the Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam. He is the author of two books, Romeo’s Whiskey and Papa’s Tango.