Parchment Retiree Brad Shields Spreads Positivity as 'Parchment Wizard' on Street Corners

A retired HVAC specialist is making people smile in Parchment and Kalamazoo

*Brad Shields, a retired HVAC specialist from Parchment*, has earned local fame for dressing as a wizard and standing on street corners with signs that read "love is the answer" and "choose kindness."

Shields, known in his hometown as the "Parchment Wizard," stands on the corner of Mosel Avenue and Riverview Drive in Parchment, holding positive messages for drivers and pedestrians. He featured on WWMT News Channel 3's Local Heroes on Wednesday.

Why he started

Shields said he expected strange looks when he began his weekly routine. But he said his goal is simple.

"People see a guy standing on a street corner holding a sign, and a lot of people won't even look. They won't make eye contact," Shields said. "I wish that they would, because I'm not asking for anything except for people to be happy."

Shields does not ask for money. His signs carry messages like "be excellent to each other" and "choose kindness." He said he hopes those messages stick with the people who pass him by.

"I hope that they smile because of this, and then smile to the next person that they see, and that person smiles to the next person the day sees," Shields said.

From Parchment to downtown Kalamazoo

Shields also visits Downtown Kalamazoo once a week. He said the community there has adopted him.

"They got a dozen nicknames for me," Shields said. "I go there once a week because they've adopted me. I'm their wizard!"

Shields uploads many of his community interactions to YouTube, where others recognize him as a familiar face. He told News Channel 3 that his weekly ritual also serves as a reminder about the importance of the First Amendment.

"If we don't know our rights, then we lose them. Rights are like muscles, if you don't exercise them, then they go away," Shields said.

A mission to spread positivity

Shields said he has made a game out of counting how many people he can get to smile. He described the work as addictive.

"It's addictive! It is, because it just makes you feel so good and it makes the community feel good," Shields said. "If I can do that, then that's my magic."

Shields encouraged anyone inspired by his work to join him, with or without a costume.

"There can't be too much positivity in the world," Shields said. "So if there's 10 wizards standing on the street corner holding signs spreading love, that's my mission."

To nominate friends, family, neighbors, or nonprofits for a feature on WWMT's Local Heroes, readers can email tabarnes@sbgtv.com with contact information and a description of their contribution to the community, according to the station.