09/03/2025
I had not planned on publicly commenting on this matter but I have been watching the online reactions to the separation of Greg Cruz from Streets of Paradise with concern. I co-founded Streets of Paradise with Greg in 2018 (the article I have posted here for context was one of several that were published in local media in the early days of the organization) and I have been reluctant to comment as I have no interest in reopening old wounds. As a photojournalist I have dedicated myself to documenting social justice and human rights abuses worldwide. I have traveled across the US going gone toe-to-toe with police, Proud Boys and right-wing militias. I have criss-crossed the US-Mexico border documenting migrants and refugees, often in cartel controlled territory, and I have traveled five times to Ukraine photographing in the combat zone under Russian shellfire, so I hope I have developed sufficient credibility that my words will be taken seriously and at face value.
Greg Cruz is a complicated individual and there is no doubt that he has been a powerful force for good in the local community. That being said, there is another side to Greg and my experience with him frankly left scars that took a long time to heal. I have no interest in airing the details of the breakdown in our relationship, but I would caution those who are rushing to judgement that Susan Nilon and a multi-racial board of directors voted unanimously that the best interests of Streets of Paradise would be served by taking what they knew would be a controversial and unpopular step. I do not have any personal knowledge of what the issues were that made his position untenable, but I trust that the board acted in good faith and the fact that Cathy Bryant appears to be remaining in her role as CEO carries much weight with me. It is my belief that had his removal been capricious or unjust that she may well have resigned in protest. I am confident that Greg will find another path to continue the positive work that he has done, and that Streets of Paradise will survive and continue to thrive also.
This is only my opinion, and this will be my only post on the matter.
Greg Cruz and Allan Mestel created an online photo series to raise awareness about homelessness in the area, then flipped it into a full-fledged nonprofit.
