Nisha
McSwane-Franco

USA TODAY Best-selling author and University of California Santa Cruz alum (go Banana Slugs!), Nisha McSwane-Franco brings a sophisticated literary perspective to the Arts Foundation of the Mid-Columbia. Nisha’s experience as an Art Professional for the City of Pasco’s Arts and Culture Commission makes her uniquely qualified to occupy her position as Secretary of the AFMC.

A published author with over 15 works to her name (or her pen name rather – Stella Williams), Nisha relies on her study of anthropology to produce paranormal romance novels where she depicts unique and diverse worlds for her readers.

Nisha is a bold and passionate champion for the literary arts, who seeks to elevate inclusion for BIPOC creatives in community art events and projects. Rivers of Ink, AFMC’s annual writer’s conference is chaired and orchestrated by Ms. McSwane-Franco. Previously, Nisha volunteered at the Benton Franklin Juvenile Justice Center teaching art and literature to incarcerated youth and even assisted in the publishing of Keep Ya Head Up, a collection of poetry and essays from those students. Nisha is a bold and talented advocate for AFMC’s mission, and we’re proud to call her one of our own.