Living in Block’s World
Cheryl Block Shanks recalls her father, and his poetry about what can divide us — even though we’re all kin.
Authors
I'm a journalist who has covered San Francisco and the Bay Area in writing, audio and video for about a decade; started and hosted a few podcasts; and co-founded News Relay Network, publisher of the Tenderloin Voice. Reach me at laura@tlvoice.org.
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I'm a journalist who has reported for years on San Francisco topics like homelessness, housing, and governance. I co-founded News Relay Network, publisher of the Tenderloin Voice, where I write and edit. Reach me at noah@tlvoice.org.
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I have worked in local journalism for over ten years leading community engagement, operations, development, and co-founded News Relay Network, publisher of the Tenderloin Voice.
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Monteque Pope-Le Beau is a poet, artist, and founder of Dreamweaverarts. They use art as a catalyst for change, drawing from personal experiences, including overcoming illness. Their brand, “Circles of Enlightenment,” promotes community well-being.
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David Elliott Lewis is a 40-year SF resident, 20-year TL resident, photographer, community organizer, activist, and co-chair of the Tenderloin People’s Congress.
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Niko Clark is a writer based in San Francisco. A recent graduate from UC Berkeley, he’s previously written for The Daily Californian’s blog and opinion sections. He intends to pursue his Master of Arts later this fall.
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My art reveals what I see internally, often unconsciously. I am interested in desire, longing; what has been lost; what is just out of reach. I have written 3 books, worked in ad agencies, founded a co-op gallery, and managed an apartment building.
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Jesse is a Chicano/Tejano poet, cultural advocate, and a Tenderloin community member who hails from Austin. A son of the Chicano Renaissance Movement, he is heir to a literary tradition that regards poetry as a force for social justice.
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826 Valencia is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting under-resourced students with their creative and expository writing skills. Work by students at the Tenderloin Center will occasionally be shared in the Tenderloin Voice.
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After 35 years in San Francisco, the Tenderloin is still my favorite small town. Though I realized too late in life that I should have grown up to be a kindergarten teacher, I am able to make up for it by volunteering at Tenderloin Community School.
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Michael Nulty is a published author and civic leader with more than 50 years in public service, who has served on 21 boards. He’s advocated for over 150 justice causes, received over 200 honors, and been quoted in books, articles, and other media.
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River is a longtime resident and steward of the Tenderloin. He’s experienced it from sidewalk to sanctuaries, gaining a unique and deeply personal perspective. Now 64, River’s writing aims to honor the community’s history and enduring spirit.
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Breonna McCree (she/her) is Co-Executive Director of the Transgender District, leading strategic partnerships, community programs, and initiatives that advance economic empowerment and cultural preservation in San Francisco’s Tenderloin.
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Zoey Laird is a writer and performer from Atlanta, Georgia. They now call the Tenderloin home, and like to write about issues that deepen their engagement with community.
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Chad is a journalist currently studying at San Francisco State University. He is a lifelong Giants fan and an avid vinyl record collector. He can be reached at chadchurch1015[at]gmail[dot]com.
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Cheryl Block Shanks is a San Francisco native and member of the Tenderloin community, and the founder of SoulStation, a new soul food restaurant coming to the neighborhood in August. Find out more at nclfinc.org/soulstation
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