StreetWise Wins International Award for Best Cover!

StreetWise has won the International Network of Street Papers (INSP) Award for Best Cover for the first time! Selected from more than 100 entries and a shortlist of five, our winning cover featured speed skater Erin Jackson in “African American Olympic Athletes,” published February 9, 2026, for Black History Month. Creative Director Dave Hamilton designed the award-winning cover.



Editor Suzanne Hanney accepted the award at the INSP Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, on September 3. The annual gathering brings street paper leaders and vendors from around the world together to share ideas, tackle common challenges, and advance their work.

More Award-Winning Journalism Closer to Home

Closer to home, StreetWise earned a slate of awards from the Illinois Woman’s Press Association (IWPA), including first-, second- and third-place honors and honorable mentions.

Editor Suzanne Hanney earned two first-place awards, one third-place award and four honorable mentions. Together, Suzanne and Creative Director Dave Hamilton won one first-place award, three second-place awards and four honorable mentions. The team also earned a third-place award with vendor Clarence Bryant and an honorable mention with freelance writer Judi Strauss-Lipkin.



First-place IWPA winners advance to the national competition of the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW), where Suzanne earned a third-place award and an honorable mention.

When you buy the magazine, take the magazine, and read what you've been missing!

Inside StreetWise

Vendor D'Rone grabs some treats from our kitchen just in time to join our monthly vendor meeting.

Created for StreetWise’s 34th anniversary and last month’s StreetWise Soirée: Interwoven fundraiser, the Quilt-A-Shirt quilt brings past and present GiveAShi*t designs together in a one-of-a-kind keepsake. Here, vendors prepare to display this piece of StreetWise history in our offices.

It is time to start thinking about gifts! The 2026 collection features more than 30 new designs created by our talented volunteer designers, with every purchase helping support StreetWise vendors.

Whether you’re looking for something Chicago-inspired, something that makes people laugh, or simply want to wear your support for StreetWise, there’s a design for you.

Shop the 2026 collection and wear your support.

Come visit GiveAShi*t at Live Sales events this month

Including:

Chicago Artisan's Market

Fulton Market

November 15

Chicago Artisans Market

4325 N. Ravenswood

November 28-29

Shop the 2026 collection and wear your support!

www.giveashirt.net

Thank You for Being Part of StreetWise!

For 34 years, StreetWise has been built one connection at a time.

A magazine purchased from a vendor.

A story read and shared.

A student who listens.

A donor who gives.

A person who stops to say hello.

Each one matters.

Thank you for helping us create a Chicago where opportunity is more accessible, stories are heard, and everyone has a chance to be part of the community.