NAHSHON DION

NAHSHON DION, born April 1, 1978, in Altadena, hails from an African American, Louisiana Creole heritage. She is a talented nonfiction writer, photographer, arts advocate, humanitarian, producer, video editor, grant writer, fundraiser, and emerging filmmaker.

Early in life, Nahshon developed a love for writing and TV production, sparked by a school drama class trip to a live taping of the popular sitcom Family Matters. This led her to work in various positions within the production industry, including at Tupac's Look Hear Sound & Vision Productions, The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show, Buena Vista TV (Walt Disney), Russell Simmons' One World Music Beat, Master P's film Da Last Don, Shauna Garr's documentary 1 More Hit, and First Option Entertainment for Magic Johnson's annual Midsummer Night's Magic All-Star Charity game. 

Nahshon has also appeared on screen and in commercials for Chuck E. Cheese and Nintendo. She has danced in music videos for Jazz Pianist/Singer Diana Krall's, "Let's Face the Music & Dance," Gospel singer Yolanda Adams' "Yeah," and Sheryl Crow's performance at the American Music Awards in 1999. 

Nahshon also has extensive publishing experience dating back to 1998, when she served as an assistant to independent publisher and writer Stanley Bennett Clay for SBC Magazine, which focused on gay Black men. In 2002, she interned at Trace Magazine during its Black Girls Rock issue, which featured model Jessica White.

Nahshon is a fiercely creative individual whose art is heavily influenced by her past experiences. From a young age, she developed a deep understanding and compassion for those with special needs. She often assisted her illiterate grandfather, blind grandmother, and dyslexic mother with tasks involving counting, reading, and writing. In her teenage years, she supported developmentally disabled adults through the JTPA summer youth employment program. 

March 3, 1991, had a profound impact on Nahshon. After watching the news coverage of Los Angeles Police officers violently attacking their close family friend, Rodney Glen King, chaos erupted at Nahshon’s front door - the same place where King and his wife used to live. The ensuing media frenzy only added to the turmoil. At fourteen years old, Nahshon was deeply affected by the aftermath of the Rodney King incident and the ongoing gun violence within her community. She felt compelled to share her thoughts in an essay contest sponsored by Discovery Card, for which she won $500. 

Then, at the age of nineteen, she was shot in a violent, homophobic encounter in Hawthorne, but still managed to shoot her attacker. The traumatic incident caused her years of physical recovery, and the psychological impact lingers.

Years later, after living in Culver City, Nahshon felt a deeper calling. In 2013, Nahshon left her life behind in Los Angeles and started a new chapter in New York. This move allowed her to focus on her writing, self-acceptance, and healing. Writing became a form of therapy, inspiring her to advocate for herself, other survivors, and the LGBTQ community. She has contributed to literary works featured in various anthologies and journals centered around themes of identity formation, mental health, and survival. Her writing reflects the voices of marginalized communities, shedding light on their daily struggles.

Nahshon is known for her impeccable memory, keen observational skills, and storytelling. Her creative efforts and advocacy have earned her multiple grants, fellowships, and national recognition and support from several Southern California Politicians. Her first untitled memoir received development funding from figures in the publishing, arts, entertainment, and media industries, and the United States Government.
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In 2021, Nahshon was interviewed for Changes: An Oral History of Tupac (Simon & Schuster). She also collaborated with Aim4theHeart, Tracy Robinson, and Leila Steinberg to organize a virtual tribute for Tupac Shakur's 50th birthday and the 25th anniversary of his passing. The event was later streamed on TRANSBRATIONS YouTube channel.

In 2024, with support from the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and Community Partners, Nahshon organized the 25th anniversary of Transgender Day of Remembrance to honor victims of transphobia. The City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and the California State Senate acknowledged her and TRANSBRATIONS Art Collective for her impact on the community. Additionally, she received a fellowship from the Intercultural Leadership Institute (ILI) and an Individual Artist grant from the New York State Council on the Arts. 

On January 7, 2025, the Eaton Canyon Wildfire in Altadena, CA, destroyed the homes of four of her family members, many friends, and dozens of former schoolmates. The tragedy struck a deep personal chord—her sister, Shennea, had died in a Los Angeles fire in February 2005. In the wake of disaster, she serves on the Altadena Community Land Trust Committee and is using her art to uplift, unite, and rebuild her community while raising awareness about social and environmental issues. She is producing a documentary and writing a memoir—both titled My Beloved Altadena—and curating an anthology called Our Beloved Altadena.

Nahshon remains dedicated to advocating for the arts. She generously volunteers her time as a grant writer, grants panelist, and awards juror. She has helped numerous artists, entrepreneurs, and victims of crime secure significant grants, funding, and essential resources.

Nahshon Dion’s life is a shining example that, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, anyone can succeed and flourish through determination and a desire to uplift others. Her impact and invaluable lessons will continue to ring true, spark inspiration, and guide future generations.

She uses both "she" and "he" pronouns.