Lisa Gray-Garcia, aka Tiny The Previously homeless currently at-risk, Writer/Teacher/Artist/Spoken Wordsmith/Project Director and Co-Editor of POOR Magazine and PoorNewsNetwork

I am the daughter of Dee, a disabled artist/therapist. I invoke my mother in this resume as, because of her extreme sacrifice and resourcefulness, I am alive, I am a writer, I am an artist.

Together we worked as a team to overcome many years of homelessness and severe poverty in a society that does not support the impoverished single parent or their children. I had to drop out of school in the sixth grade but through my mother's poetic filter language was a constant. Formal education, an intangible.

The translation of our life experiences through art began with collaborative multi-media performances: Dee conceiving and directing while I authored or scripted the pieces. I concurrently began working on solo pieces that combined my written and spoken text with choreographed movement.

As we created these "works" of Life/art in the traditions of Linda Montano and Karen Finley we struggled with dangerous positions of poverty: homelessness, incarceration for poverty crimes., et. al,. Through resourceful legal maneuvering and constant vigilance we would overcome or "get through" these depressing obstacles. These experiences were so frightening and vicious that it was impossible for me to not process and translate them in my writing as a form of media advocacy. With much trepidation I began submitting articles dealing with these issues to the New Yorker, Ms., Atlantic Monthly, Examiner and Chronicle, certain that the mainstream media had no place for my "voice" but desperate for someone to listen-my worst fears were confirmed-the rejections flowed "a beautiful piece but not appropriate for our publication" . . . then as I was ready to relinquish all hope "Yes we'd love to publish your work" . . . The Express in the East Bay said yes and changed my life forever. Our struggle was validated. People would hear.

The Express published two pieces, but rejected my third, claiming: "too much misery" I knew then that this genre of writing necessitated it's own "space". I began the struggle to create POOR-fueled by the conviction that people like myself must have a respected "space" in the media, to translate their art as well as access innovative solutions to their positions of oppression.

"Flaca" Helen Josephine Galinsky McTigue, aka Dee-Co-Editor ("co-everything") at POOR Magazine.

An errant ex-flamenco dancer. Born near the Nile River, forced to help mother's seventh husband, a riverboat captain and guardian of the only crossing. Ran away to Alaska to study the magnetic migrating spotted Alaskan fishnook. Forced again to become a famous flamenco dancer, career destroyed by fire of all original flamenco titles while on a trip to Australia. Finally, in an attempt to understand the repeated crises in her life, became a co-editor of Poor, investigative reporter, and mother of Tiny.

Jill Kearns-Administrative Assistant/Contributor to PNN

Originally from the Los Angeles Area. Moved to San Francisco in ï95 to attend San Francisco State University. Made it out in May 2000 with a Bachelor Degree in Social Work. Will probably go back (eventually) for graduate studies. In the meantime, working in poverty issues and doing what I can to help poor get their voices heard. Also attempting to organize Tiny's office.

Jennifer Maria Harris-Copy Editor/Contributing Artist

A painter-copy editor-medical transcriptionist who is originally from Washington, D.C. and grew up with rotating parents and siblings. Drove across the States a couple of times; lived in Richmond, Virginia, Loughborough in the UK, Luxor in Egypt, etc. Fascinated by people in general. She has lived in the same flat in San Francisco for almost six years, which is why she can still afford to live in the city. She spends her time being taller than most people and trying to make enough money from her paintings to type a little bit less every day.

Joseph Bolden-Staff Writer/Columnist/Photographer (Ask Joe, He Don't Know)

Born, New York City 1954. Move to California 1968 Lab and librarian aide.Graduated from Berkeley High School 1973, some Jr. College, Business Math,Home Health Aide,Computer Classes.Worked as a Security Guard, Food Service Assistant (Oakland/Berkeley and San Francisco) California.Certified Nurse Assistant/Dietary Aide. Jobless, Homeless 1989 (job burnout) In-out of shelters 1991. 1994 Learned Photography, Environmental Art, painting, some sculptor, silk-screening also began limited photo-journalism for Poor Magazine full time. Learning e-mail, photocopy, Illustrator, Quark Graphic Programs. Have an eclectic column ranging from the global economy, life extension and beyond, and stuff in-between space/time/mind travel and Bio, Robo, and Nanotechnologies expressly by and for working poor and homeless and recently homeless people. Ultimate goals: Write novels, invest in my personal future, live as long as I want not as nature intended.

Kaponda-Staff Writer/Columnist (People of Color Walking in America)

I was born in Washington, D.C. during the mid 20th century. A city notorious for backroom politicians, Washington offers tremendous opportunities to clever-minded people irrespective of their political views. I am a former employee of Capital Hill and have witnessed, first-hand, the vast waste by the bureaucracy.

I am currently a resident of San Francisco and am seeking a medium to breathe a fresh attitude on issues that impact humanity. The methods that I have employed to facilitate constructive change and resolve conflict in the Bay Area are dialogue and creative writing.

Leroy Moore-Columnist (Illin'&Chillin')/Spoken Wordsmith

is a Black disabled poet, organizer, advocate and lecturer. In 1998 he formed a Bay Area organization for and by people of color with disabilities called Disability Advocates of Minorities Organization, DAMO. DAMO was established to represent and promote the welfare and equalization of disabled people of color through the encouragement and development of education, self-advocacy training, networking and consulting. DAMO's main goal is to empower, educate, advocate and bring together communities of color on issues concerning people with disabilities. DAMO also established a group of disabled poets and artists of color called New Voices. Leroy also has a cassette tape of spoken word entitled Black Disabled Man with a Big Mouth and a High I.Q..

Gio Willis-Barella-Staff Writer/Columnist (Travel for Nuttin')

I am a 27 year old mother of four children transitioning off of welfare. My goals are to become a news broadcaster, columnist and poet. My dreams are to say to the world and young mothers like myself, that you can overcome obstacles such as poverty and lack of formal education, achieve what you desire, and be heard!!

Ken Moshesh-Staff Writer/Poverty Hero/ Poet

Artist, writer, dancer, percussionist and poet, was born into poverty in West Oakland. The oldest of eleven children, his was a family always "on the precipice" of struggle and survival. After graduating from Oakland Technical school with honors and going on to be the only black student in a private business school, he became a member of the Black Panthers through the "Neighborhood Youth Corps" under the foremen; Bobby Seale and Huey Newton. After going on to receive his degree at UC Berkeley in education, subsequently teaching and being involved in the third world strikes of 1969, a series of circumstances led him to fall far into the "cracks," of society and in the 80's he became homeless on the streets of Berkeley. Ken is a poverty survivor and an accomplished artist and we are proud to honor him as a POVERTY HERO at PoorNewsNetwork.

Liana, aka Ldog-Contributing Writer/Student of New Journalism Media Studies at POOR 22 Female, Brown, Educated, REAL, READY

Ready to stand for what's right... something that older folks in this world that have lived a bit longer and maybe seen more than I are not ready or strong enough to. I may be young in age, but I can say that I know what injustice and indignities are, and I will not sit back and keep my mouth shut. With Jesus Christ lighting my path as I fight and speak my mind about the injustices happening here and around the world nothing can or will stop me... Taken from a famous quote from Zapata: "It's better to die STANDING for something you believe in than to die begging on your knees."

I can speak for poor people around the world and here at home - including myself and the rest of the POOR magazine staff - when I say, "We ain't going out like that!"

Je'sa'ka Irwin, Contributing Writer/Photographer, Student of New Journalism Media Studies at POOR

I have been told that in the Tibetan language the three syllables je'sa' and ka' come together to mean that I have a Command of life and the Universe. I am a 24-year-old single mother. Photographer, poet, journalist, painter, etc. I have overcome, journeyed through, and learned from many struggles of poverty. Now I journey to the masses to tell my story and the true story of others distorted and forgotten by the mainstream media.

Scott Clark, aka Ocho Rex, Staff Writer/Student of New Journalism Media Studies at POOR

Age 36. Born in Pontiac, Michigan. Graduated high school 1981. Joined the Navy at age 18, left Michigan. Graduated Nuclear Power School in 1984, ended up in California. Went AWOL for six months. Went on to enjoy as much of San Francisco's underground culture as I could for 15 years, and I'm still surfing he wide walks for the right here (right!) (hide) talks.

Anna Marie Morrow, Student of New Journalism Media Studies at POOR

I am a single mom of a 14-year-old son. He is a second generation San Franciscan. We have been struggling with poverty my son's whole life and my whole adult life, although I just recently realized it. Six months ago we became homeless and our lives changed in an undeniable way. Meaning there was no pretending anymore about the financial state of affairs in our little family. Communal family shelter for five months. Four months and four interviews, one denial and finally acceptance into a transitional housing program late. My son asks (having met his grandmother, my mother, and glimpsing my upper middle class upbringing), "Where did you go wrong, Mom?" Gotta love him, huh? God bless kids. For real. So despite 8 years of rigorous corporate American education and training I have survived to become a massage therapist and a fighter for the heroes of poverty. I love art and people and children and want to share the strength and camaraderie I have experienced in my struggles to maintain a life in a city I still call my home.

Diallo Mclinn, Graphic designer, teacher

Diallo McLinn an Oakland based digital artist, specializing in Visual design. Diallo's interest is art, not money. This enables him to work on heart felt projects, not corporate burn-out projects. Son of mid-wife, teacher, and spiritual dancer, Arisika Razak, Diallo uses his art to promote positive change.

I am Leo Stegman. In the immortal word of former Black Panther Party member Fred Hanpton " I am revolutinary. I am the prolotriet. I am the people. I am not the pigs." I have been poor or working class all of my life. As a poor African-American Maleliving in this society founded on racism and classism understand the socialized brainwashing that goes on by the few who control the ways and means in Amerikkka. In is impossible to reform this society. so I call from new ways and new s means and a new system. I call for food, clothing, education, and shelter be human rights. I call for revolution first through education of the masses. It is not a sin to be poor, a women, gay, black or homreless. Again, I am a revolutionary. I took me 33 years to find this out.