Prince William, heir to the English throne, has often suggested that one way to end homelessness is for the community to assume responsibility for those homeless individuals in their neighborhoods. This premise was exhibited on Dec. 3, 2025, when several members of West Nashville came together to honor their Contributor vendor, Maurice B. The group gathered at Edley’s Bar-B-Que on 4500 Murphy Road. Dinner was sponsored by Metro Councilwoman Brenda Gadd. The “Celebrate Maurice” event was coordinated by Mr. David Smedley, one of Maurice’s customers who is a member of the Sylvan Park Neighborhood Association. In explaining why he wanted to do this for Maurice, Smedley said, “For a long time now, I always stop at the same light on the way to work and I see this happy gentleman in a power chair at 46th and Charlotte; he waves and has a friendly smile. He’s there in the rain, in the sun and I’ve even seen him in the snow. I don’t know his name and honestly, I have never taken the time to stop and meet him, but for the last couple of days he has been on my heart. I don’t know his story, but I am thinking about putting together a GoFundMe. I would like to do something special for him with an envelope for the holiday.”
Many of the attendees spoke of their feelings and relationships with Maurice. Kristen Butler Braaksma said, “Maurice! Such a nice man. He occasionally writes an article for the paper he sells. Always happy. Always smiling!!!! He is a person who is earning a good living by selling the newspaper. Buy one. If it’s on your heart, then give him more than the $2 selling price. THEN ACTUALLY READ THE PAPER!”
Rachel Welty had this to say: “I own the law office on the corner of 46th and Charlotte and I have known Maurice since I moved there in 2018. He is the best!!! The kindest, gentlest soul and is so so proud of his writing and the work he puts into the paper. Thank you David for doing this for him.” Laura Wilson, another one of Maurice’s customers said: “He is out there rain, snow, heat … it does not matter!!! He always has a smile on his face! Waves to everyone! He radiates goodness.”
Mr. Smedley did the GoFundMe and at the end of the event, Maurice was presented with a check for $3,400. More than 110 residents of the Sylvan Park area donated to this GoFundMe for Maurice. After receiving the check, Maurice said, “I’m truly grateful that Allah, God, allowed His will to be done, as it was a joyful moment.”
This action on the part of the Sylvan Park Neighborhood Association is proof positive that Prince William’s ideas on ending homelessness can work with the proper initiative and by working with individual communities and by changing public perception of homelessness, just as Maurice [and his community] have done in one area of Nashville. By changing the perception of homelessness, we can then focus on prevention and supported housing to show that ending homelessness is achievable. The Contributor strives to come closer to this idea than any other organization in this city and Maurice proved that one person with a smile and a handshake can make a difference.