Portrait of Michael at the Olympia Union Gospel Mission. “I’m a homeless advocate thus began 12 years ago, From the east to the West coast I have fought and won Rights for people who didn’t or wouldn’t Stand, couldn’t change the course or their lives speaking up for themselves. I showed them. My fights have always been with both sides of the fence, one trying to hold a standard of separation, through Labeling, and the other seeing my fight against master, and joining in with him to fight me. So my fights have been behind the scenes. My greatest achievement was I was arrested for an aggravated burglary. Lost my job, my place. I won by Jury “not guilty” but while in jail I got the medical unit remodeled by having six benches that sit six people each so 36 people had seats outside their cell to eat meals. And I had refused to use my cup they had issued the day I was booked. It was unsanitary, They had to issue fresh cups. to sue fresh cups. The inmates called it the “Broadnax Cup.” This houseless portrait project was suggest my incarcerated collaborator, Chad, who will take my images and draw and paint his own portraits of the “less fortunate.” Thanks to the Justice Arts Coalition.
Portrait taken of homeless or gospel mission employee of the Olympia Union Gospel Mission, Olympia WA