Street Roots vendor profile | Fashion with a purpose

Street Roots vendor Makavalie is singular in his focus — trying to get clothing to people who need it. In particular, this passion manifests in the clothing line that he designed, some of which feature photos taken with comedian Katt Williams in Portland. Makavalie is clear about his intent in featuring Williams.

“I wanted to show that two Black men can be next to each other and not kill each other — I wanted to disrupt the belief that Black men are violent,” Makavalie said.

But the clothing line also serves another social purpose — to help clothe homeless people. Makavalie has used his Street Roots earnings to make a few samples of his clothes to give to those in need.

“I have a goal,” he said. “Last year 120 people froze to death. I want to be part of the solution, to provide my own clothing line.”

Makavalie has been a Street Roots vendor steadily for the last two years, but he had a previous stint as a vendor 20 years ago. Makavalie had been houseless on and off since 1996. But in 2016, he achieved housing, and he is now proudly housed.

“Housing has meant the world to me,” he said. “I have been able to accumulate and grow my own personal clothing line, and I have a place to store my clothes without fear of police sweeps. This gives me a sense of responsibility to stay housed.”

As a vendor, he feels an additional responsibility to encourage others to give back.

“I want to let people know how I’m helping to give back, and maybe others can do something similar within their communities,” he said. “I want to serve as an example, to turn conversations into actions.”

Even one of his Street Roots posts is intentional — at the Goodwill store at Northeast 13th Avenue and Broadway Street — where he also accepts clothing and other items for people who need it.

“Think of me as Black will doing good will in the community,” he said.

Makavalie’s commitment to serving his community isn’t just limited to providing clothing. An ordained minister within the Universal Life Church, he also wants to officiate weddings free of charge to anyone within the LGBTQ community.

“I’ve never done one before, but I would love to have my first one,” he said. “I’m hoping someone takes me up on the offer. It’s hard to perform some services without a church building, but I’m still able to perform within my street ministry.”

Makavalie can be found selling Street Roots and modeling his clothing line most days from 3-6 p.m. at Goodwill and from 3-8 p.m. at Food Front Cooperative Grocery on Northwest Thurman Street. He can also be supported via @StreetRoots Venmo by entering his name and badge number (469) in the notes.

Street Roots is an award-winning weekly investigative publication covering economic, environmental and social inequity. The newspaper is sold in Portland, Oregon, by people experiencing homelessness and/or extreme poverty as means of earning an income with dignity. Street Roots newspaper operates independently of Street Roots advocacy and is a part of the Street Roots organization. Learn more about Street Roots. Support your community newspaper by making a one-time or recurring gift today.

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