A Letter from StreetWise's Executive Director

The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and other African Americans and people of color, as well as the ensuing protests, shine a spotlight on the systemic racial injustices that have plagued our community and country.

We are sad, angry and frustrated by the overt racism, discrimination and marginalization that disproportionately affect communities of color. This includes many of the StreetWise vendors and job seekers who are more likely to experience homelessness, incarceration, and violence.

StreetWise Magazine remains committed to bringing awareness of the critical issues of racial, social and economic inequality that impact the daily lives of the most vulnerable and marginalized in our community. We are also committed to elevating the work that many individuals, communities and organizations are doing to bring about lasting systemic change.

This issue of StreetWise is devoted to acknowledging and responding to the anger and grief among the people we seek to serve and the larger community.

-Julie Youngquist, Executive Director, StreetWise