Street Sense Media

In Our Own Voices: Wendell Williams

Street Sense Media artist/vendor and homelessness advocate, Wendell Williams, shares his experiences as a fifth-generation African American Washingtonian and his insights about the changes the city has seen, his personal experience with chronic homelessness, and his involvement with the street newspaper movement as a means to not only sell or distribute newspapers but as a way to address homelessness on a systemic level. Williams shares his unique perspective on a whole host of related issues from racism to federal funding to the role gentrification has played in exacerbating the homelessness crisis. Williams was interviewed September 16, 2022 fellow Artist/Vendor Aida Peery as part of Street Sense Media’s Oral History Project, “In Our Own Voices: Artist/Vendors 2003-2023.”

In Our Own Voices: Amina Washington

Street Sense Media artist/vendor, Amina Washington, reflects on her experience becoming homeless at the age of 14 and the ensuing years she spent being unhoused. She details her younger years, prior to becoming unhoused after a neighbor reported her father and she was sent to school in Florida. Upon finding Street Sense Media in 2022, she’s been able to utilize their various resources in order to find permanent housing and more financial stability. Additionally, through Steet Sense Media’s class offerings, Amina has been able to develop her skills as a poet. Amina Washington was interviewed October 14, 2022 fellow Artist/Vendor Aida Peery as part of Street Sense Media’s Oral History Project, “In Our Own Voices: Artist/Vendors 2003-2023.”

In Our Own Words: Rochelle Walker

Rochelle Walker, a Street Sense Media artist/vendor, shares her story about growing up in Washington, DC, going to Morgan State University and University of the District of Columbia for her associate’s degree in Early Childhood Development. She discusses how she worked in early childhood care for over 20 years, before becoming unemployed due to the pandemic. She lost her longtime housing, after her building was condemned. She found out about Street Sense Media through another vendor and has been working with the organization steadily since then. She also shares how So Others May Eat (SOME) helped her secure housing, once her building was condemned. You can watch Walker at Artshow 2022 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MytjSSeZhFE. She's on at 6:13. Walker was  interviewed September 15, 2022 by fellow Artist/Vendor Jacqueline Turner as part of Street Sense Media’s Oral History Project, “In Our Own Voices: Artist/Vendors 2003-2023.”

In Our Own Voices: Martin Walker

Street Sense Media artist/vendor Martin Walker shares his history, growing up in Washington, DC and Landover, MD. He details how he learned about Street Sense Media when he was living in a men’s shelter, as well as his increasing involvement with the organization over the last 17 years. Walker has not only worked as a vendor, but has been both a vendor trainer, as well as the vendor manager. He also was the first vendor to serve on the Street Sense Media Board of Directors. Walker also details the precarious economic situations felt by many that lead to homelessness, as was the case in his situation. Walker was interviewed October 13, 2022 fellow Artist/Vendor Aida Peery as part of Street Sense Media’s Oral History Project, “In Our Own Voices: Artist/Vendors 2003-2023.”

In Our Own Voices: Jacqueline Turner

Born in Leesburg, VA, into a religious family, Jacqueline Turner, a Street Sense Media artist/vendor, reflects on her experience growing up in and around Washington, DC. She details what it was like to live in DC during the 60s and 70s, especially her time attending go-go dances. Turner’s experience with homelessness began shortly after she joined the Street Sense Media team, once she left her husband. She recounts how Street Sense Media and other organizations in DC helped her leave an abusive relationship and rebuild her life. Aida Peery was interviewed May 6, 2022 by fellow Artist/Vendor Aida Perry as part of Street Sense Media’s Oral History Project, “In Our Own Voices: Artist/Vendors 2003-2023.”

In Our Own Voices: Eric Thompson-Bey

Street Sense Media artist/vendor and reporter, Eric Thompson-Bey chronicles his experiences growing up in Anacostia, as well as other parts of DC. He recounts how his mother was murdered when he was only two years old, as well as how his father died when he was only nine. After that, he was raised by one of his sisters. Thompson-Bey shares his experiences with homelessness, as well as how he discovered Street Sense and how the organization has helped him over the last 14 years to find housing, as well as develop his skills as a writer. Additionally, Thompson-Bey details how the case managers at Street Sense Media have helped him navigate struggles with mental illness. He also shares how selling Street Sense papers helped keep him out of prison, as it provided away for him to be financially independent without having to resort to anything against the law. Thompson-Bey discusses an investigation into the violent conditions at his apartment building, though ultimately he had to quite the investigation due to threats against his housing situation. Finally, Thompson-Bey talks about his aspirations for the future, which include getting a college degree, and the ways in which the staff at Street Sense Media have and continue to support him in achieving those goals. Thompson-Bey was interviewed October 7, 2022 fellow Artist/Vendor Jacqueline Turner as part of Street Sense Media’s Oral History Project, “In Our Own Voices: Artist/Vendors 2003-2023.”