Speak Up is a movement of community, mission, and creativity.
Speak Up Magazine
speakupmag.com
Where it all began. A magazine written and sold by people facing homelessness.
Since 2011
Since 2011, Speak Up has been publishing work from writers who had no other voice. Through 90 issues of an award-winning print magazine (“Speak Up”), hundreds of writers facing homelessness gave voice to their pain, hope, and diverse perspectives.
Speak Up Groups
speakupgroups.com
Gather with strangers in public places. Write to shared prompts. Magic happens!
What a group is
A group of people who gather in person, write together, and read their work to one another, honoring each person and respecting every voice.
Starting a group
Resources, prompts, and personal support for starting and leading writing groups.
About
History, press, and leadership
Speak Up began as a magazine written and sold by people facing homelessness. Fifteen years later it is an ecosystem: giving voice, caring for the poor, empowering leaders, life-changing prayer, creativity, and more.
Milestones
2011October 2011 — first issue of Speak Up published and sold on the streets of Charlotte.
2013Seed20 Award winner!
2014Expansion! Speak Up Traverse City launches in northern Michigan.
2018Published 35 issues in a single year.
2019Issue 90 printed! We called it “the final issue.” Spoiler: it wasn’t the last one!
2021Going digital: embraced Substack. Homeless vendors explored selling subscriptions.
2024Writing groups launch.
In the news
2024Speak Up writing groups featured on SC Public Radio
2023A writer’s life on — and off — the streetsCharleston City Paper
2020Magazine Gives Voice to Charlotte’s Homeless CommunitySpectrum News 1
2019Speak Up Magazine Provides Platform for Charlotte’s HomelessQueen City Nerve
2018Best Vendor Contribution, winnerINSP Awards
2017Best News Feature nominee: Charlotte protests, a vendor’s viewINSP Awards
2016Charlotte protests: a street paper vendor’s view from the epicentre of unrestInternational Network of Street Papers
2016Vendor wishes: “We want to get our daughter back”International Network of Street Papers
2015Has Charlotte made progress in ending homelessness?Axios Charlotte
2014Speak Up Magazine: Giving a Voice to Charlotte’s HomelessWFAE 90.7
2013Speak Up magazine gets a second chanceCreative Loafing Charlotte
2011Speak Up, the People’s PublicationCharlotte Magazine
2011Word on the Street: Charlotte’s First Street MagCLT Blog
2011New street paper wants to ‘Speak Up’ for Charlotte’s homelessCrossroads Charlotte
Leadership
Executive Director
Matt Shaw
Board of Directors
- Andy Tonkin
- Ann Nelson
- Robert Forquer
Previous Board Members
Andrea Beane, Bill Shaw, Bruce Simpson, Cesar Silva, Elizabeth Marx, Eric Gorman, John Clarke, Lindsay DaCosta, Lisa Koons, Lynnea Imhoff, Phil Felten, Troy Felten.
Contact
Newsletter and email
Newsletter
Contact
Donate
Speak Up is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Your gift supports this entire ecosystem: homeless outreach, writing groups, prayer room, and more.
Checks
To Speak Up
P.O. Box 36813
Rock Hill, SC 29732
Speak Up is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. Donations are tax-deductible.