Speak Up began as a printed magazine written and sold by people facing homelessness. Fifteen years later it is an ecosystem that gives voice, empowers leaders, builds community, and amplifies creativity.
Milestones
| 2011 | October 2011 — first issue of Speak Up published and sold on the streets of Charlotte. |
| 2013 | Seed20 Award winner! |
| 2014 | Expansion! Speak Up Traverse City launches in northern Michigan. |
| 2018 | Published 35 issues in a single year. |
| 2019 | Issue 90 printed! We called it “the final issue.” Spoiler: it wasn’t the last one! |
| 2021 | Going digital: embraced Substack. Homeless vendors explored selling subscriptions. |
| 2024 | Writing groups launch. |
Leadership
| Executive Director | Matt Shaw mattshaw@speakupmag.org |
| 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 |
In the news
- 2024 · South Carolina Public Radio
Folks facing homelessness get a voice in Rock Hill – their own - 2023 · Charleston City Paper
A writer’s life on — and off — the streets - 2020 · Spectrum News 1
Magazine Gives Voice to Charlotte’s Homeless Community - 2019 · Queen City Nerve
Speak Up Magazine Provides Platform for Charlotte’s Homeless - 2018 · INSP Awards
Best Vendor Contribution, winner - 2017 · INSP Awards
Best News Feature nominee: Charlotte protests, a vendor’s view - 2016 · International Network of Street Papers
Charlotte protests: a street paper vendor’s view from the epicentre of unrest - 2016 · International Network of Street Papers
Vendor wishes: “We want to get our daughter back” - 2015 · Axios Charlotte
Has Charlotte made progress in ending homelessness? - 2014 · WFAE 90.7
Speak Up Magazine: Giving a Voice to Charlotte’s Homeless - 2013 · Creative Loafing Charlotte
Speak Up magazine gets a second chance - 2011 · Charlotte Magazine
Speak Up, the People’s Publication - 2011 · CLT Blog
Word on the Street: Charlotte’s First Street Mag - 2011 · Crossroads Charlotte
New street paper wants to ‘Speak Up’ for Charlotte’s homeless
Contact
info@speakupmag.org
Speak Up, P.O. Box 36813, Rock Hill, SC 29732