In the early hours of March 7, a tight knit group of supporters including Mayor Freddie O’Connell, former Mayor Megan Barry, Metro Council Member Erin Evans, Judge Robin Kimbrough Hayes and WPLN host Khalil Ekulona honored the hard work and successes of our street newspaper vendors.
The annual breakfast was held at Belmont’s Ayers Center, where we recognized the top street newspaper sellers of 2023 and other contributors who submit literary works, art and other content.
Alex Roach, Maurice Ballard and Norma Bracey emerged as the top newspaper vendors, setting remarkable 2023 sales records. These three newspaper vendors, through rain and sunshine, are extremely dedicated to their businesses and customers. Working alongside Alex, Maurice, and Norma are approximately 180 active newspaper vendors who work hard and become familiar faces in their neighborhoods as they sell The Contributor, share their stories, and create common ground.
The “Rookie of the Year” award went to Terry Holloway, who is constantly working to learn more and has made an impact on his customers’ lives. Terry has also become a mentor to other vendors who want to sell more effectively.
Shawn Lesley was aptly given the “King of Perseverance Award.” This self-proclaimed King is also Nashville’s king and queenmaker at his daily sales post close to the Musica statue at Division and 16th Avenue North. Lesley’s journey through personal challenges and his successful pursuit of housing stability was recently shared on an episode of Nashville Public Television’s Aging Matters.
In the realm of literary and visual arts, Daniel Holmes was awarded for “Excellence in Creative Expression.” Daniel is dedicated to the arts. His paintings have been featured on the cover of the newspaper, and his writing largely focuses on community involvement in the arts, engaging our readers with the vibrant arts community in Nashville.
Behind every issue of The Contributor is the exceptional work of Franklin Web Printing, who was recognized with the “Editorial Ally Award.” Franklin Webb has been with The Contributor since the printing of the first issue of the newspaper in 2007. Having a local printer committed to our mission is extremely important to us, and we would not be the newspaper we are without them. Their work is high-quality and consistent, and they care about the vendors and the organization.
Lisa Abell’s versatility and creativity earned her the “Excellence in Literary Versatility” award. Her wide range of contributions captures the humor, challenges, and spirit of the vendor community, creating a deep connection with her readers, colleagues, and other supporters. Lisa also shared her story with the audience during the event, adding dignity, encouragement, humor, and hope to all of our stories as we listened awestruck.
As a co-founder of The Contributor back in 2007, the drive behind starting the street newspaper was to “change the panhandling dynamic” where those asking for money and those who can give money often share the same feelings of ambivalence, awkwardness and shame. We dreamed about how offering a newspaper could radically change that interaction. The newspaper would provide a deeper purpose and create an opening for conversation, understanding and mutuality.
Of course, the newspaper would also put money in the hands of people who need it the most. In 2023, street newspaper vendors collectively profited almost $700,000 to pay for things that we all need, like housing, healthcare, food, clothing and other necessities, as well as hobbies, entertainment and other things and expenses that make life easier and sometimes tougher.
Seventy of vendors who sold the newspaper for six consecutive months last year obtained permanent housing, a myth busting stat that challenges the stereotypes of people who are unhoused and their motivations and abilities.
The Contributor is a hyperlocal product trying to make its way through the capitalist marketplace like any other product. However, our street newspaper has a clear aim — to eliminate homelessness and create community. When you buy a street newspaper, you participate in a transaction that is conducive to the betterment of life in Nashville. You can’t always say that about everything you buy.