Culture
Brooklyn community rallies behind beloved shoe shiner Byron Neal known as “The Light on the Corner”
With a shoeshine brush in hand and a heart full of gold, Byron Neal has become a neighborhood icon, not only for his craft, but for his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.
For more than six decades, Byron Neal has been a quiet force of warmth and resilience in the Park Slope community of Brooklyn, New York.
With a shoeshine brush in hand and a heart full of gold, Neal has become a neighborhood icon, not only for his craft, but for his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.
Byron Neal is a symbol of resilience
Neal, 74, has been shining shoes since he was nine years old. Though he has experienced homelessness, he’s never stopped giving. He mentors others navigating addiction and housing insecurity, organizes supply drives for coats and boots, and greets passersby with the kind of light that earned him his nickname: The Light on the Corner.
GoFundMe launched
Inspired by his story, the Park Slope community has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Neal purchase a custom-built Collins Continental shoeshine stand. The goal is to support his continued work—offering $5 shines, mentoring others, and holding space for connection and care.
The fundraiser, organized by local resident and filmmaker Joshua Waterman, has already surpassed its initial goal. Any additional funds will go toward shoeshine supplies, storage fees, and clothing for Neal, who remains deeply humbled by the outpouring of support.