The Shift members (clockwise from bottom right): Eva Takakanew, Yvonne Mark, Julie Chapman, Jathinder Sandhu, David Deocera, James Witwicki, Mike McNeeley, Paula Carlson, Michael Geilen, the late Maryann Sundown, Lance Lim, Richard Young and Nicolas Crier. Credit: Holly Sakaki.

Canadian street paper Megaphone has launched a new peer newsroom consisting of more than a dozen vendors and storytellers who gather monthly to determine the direction of the magazine. It’s part of a partnership that will develop journalism best practices for reporting on marginalized communities. Paula Carlson, Megaphone’s managing editor, explains more.

Introducing The Shift, Vancouver-based street paper Megaphone’s co-creational newsroom

vendor Paul Grigatis (left) enjoys meeting the public with Vendor and Volunteer Coordinator Devon Tremain at a recent pop-up plaza event in Vancouver. A new mentorship program pairs new vendors with seasoned pros to show them the ropes of selling. Credit: Paul Grigaitis.

Megaphone’s new vendor mentorship program provides sales support and fosters confidence. Paul Grigaitis, who was a community newspaper reporter before finding himself struggling with addiction and his mental health, became a vendor at Megaphone only to feel that he didn’t have the confidence to go out and do it well. The magazine’s new program helped him get going.

Mentors help new vendors find the courage to succeed at Vancouver street paper Megaphone

Paul Shawdover has been a Megaphone vendor since 2018. Credit: Paula Carlson.

Paul Shawdover, who sells Megaphone, a street paper based in Vancouver, Canada, says he is proud to be a Black Jamaican Canadian and appreciate the values and lifestyle that he has learned and earned in this piece reflecting on the country’s celebration of Black history.

Tagged with 'vancouver'

Introducing The Shift, Vancouver-based street paper Megaphone’s co-creational newsroom

Mentors help new vendors find the courage to succeed at Vancouver street paper Megaphone

Megaphone vendor Paul Shawdover on what Canada’s Black History Month means to him