Remembering Selena Williams: beloved community member and former San Quentin guard
By Cole Haddock and Maria Toldi on Selana Williams standing in front of her tent as she prepares to bring what she’s collected to the recycling center.
Street Spirits
View Articles in Other Categories
Street Spirits is a monthly feature in which someone who lives on the street tells us their story.
Editor’s Note on “The Eviction Machine”
By Alastair Boone on This story represents the writer’s point of view, and chronicles the experiences they shared during years of working closely together to battle the eviction that would ultimately end 300’s life.
The Eviction Machine
By Vinay Pai on 300 was a life-long Berkeley resident and community leader who tragically passed away in 2019 after being evicted from his home. His story shines a light on the struggle to get off the street.
Remembering Alando Williams: Friend, father, Uncle of South Berkeley
By Katherine Blesie on Editor’s note: Alando Williams died early this year. He was 64 years old.
Remembering Jeremy Caughlan—a pillar of Elmwood
By Alastair Boone on Jeremy Caughlan—the beloved Street Spirit vendor who sold the newspaper on the corner of College Avenue and Russell Street nearly every day for 10 years—died on December 2. He was 85 years old.
Remembering Olantis Livingston: The Big Man
By Katherine Blesie on Olantis will be missed by the community in Downtown Berkeley, where he sold the paper for ten years.
Samel Leparan Ntiwuas: seeking greener pastures
By Samel Leparan Ntiwuas on Samel grew up in the Bay Area, and wants to find a better life here. But the cycle of homelessness is hard to escape.
Star: on the loneliness of living unsheltered
By Martha Cast on Star reflects on the reason why it is so difficult to become housed. Plus, an update about Street Spirit vendor Vernon Dailey.
Josh: Sailor, diver, ‘decent human being’
By Martha Cast on Josh, who is 47, maintains simple, attainable goals: to be happy, and to be a decent human being.
Vinola Stallings: Getting back on track
By Sabrina Kharrazi on If there were ever a person who embodied relentless curiosity and persistence, it would be lifelong Oakland resident Vinola Stallings.
Vernon Dailey: former ‘canvass king,’ currently in search of housing
By Sasha Weilbaker on Street spirits is a monthly feature in which a Street Spirit vendor, or someone who lives on the street, tells us their story.
Shawn Moses: Recently housed and full of hope
By Sabrina Kharrazi on Street Spirit vendor Shawn Moses just moved into housing after spending more than ten years on the street.