Carlton Johnson is a homeless man who sells the Street Sense newspaper in Washington, D.C. He's also a poet.
Although Johnson began writing poetry when he was young, the poems he writes today reflect the things he sees and feels when he's out on the streets. Sometimes he even recites poetry to his customers.
"I call it street slamming," he said. "They'll see what I see but they'll hear what I'm feeling.”
In the first episode of "Look at This," Brian Carome, Street Sense Media's executive director, said a valuable resource the newspaper provides for its vendors is an opportunity for self-expression. Many vendors, like Johnson, do this by writing articles or poetry for the newspaper they sell.
This week's episode of the "Look at This" podcast, Johnson and fellow vendors Ayub Abdul and Darleesha Joyner share their poetry and talk about the importance creative expression plays in their lives.
Look at This a Street Sense Media Podcast: Episode Four
Look at This a Street Sense Media Podcast: Episode Two
Look at This a Street Sense Media Podcast: Episode One
Sounds From the Street: Ron Dudley on Hip-Hop & Fatherhood
Sounds From the Street: Wendy Oxenhorn on Founding the Street Paper Movement
Sounds From the Street: Patty Smith Sings the Blues
Sounds From the Street: Middle Schoolers Discuss Homeless Activism
Sounds From the Street: Advocate Kate Coventry on the D.C. Winter Plan
Sounds From the Street: Adam Motiwala on Digital Training for the Homeless
Sounds From the Street: Writer Nick Flynn on Reconnecting with His Father
Sounds From the Street: Father Tom Weston on Addiction and Recovery
Sounds From the Street: Christie Jones on Her Children’s Book About Homelessness
Sounds From the Street: Executive Director Brian Carome on the State of Homelessness
Sounds From the Street: DHS Director Laura Zeilinger on Affordable Housing
Sounds From the Street: Entrepreneur Ken Martin Wears Many Hats
Sounds From the Street: Robert Williams on Service, Respect and Art
Sounds From the Street: Benjamin Gates on Busking, Part 2 of 2
Sounds From the Street: Benjamin Gates on Busking, Part 1 of 2
Sounds From the Street: Angie Whitehurst Part 2 of 2 - A Life Resumed
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Greece Travel Secrets Podcast
That Park Life: a Disney World Podcast
Ghostlore of Hawaii: Paranormal Paradise
Stuff You Should Know
Timcast IRL