Biography
NAHSHON DION (b. April 1, 1978) is a multi-talented, award-winning nonfiction writer, teaching artist, writing mentor, producer, and video editor based in the Bronx. As an African American Louisiana Creole, she's made significant contributions to the civic, artistic, and cultural landscape of California and New York for over a decade. Hailing from the serene San Gabriel mountain foothills in Altadena, CA, she lived in the Meadows directly above NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Nahshon is an emerging documentary filmmaker and a grant writer, grants panelist, awards juror, community organizer, fundraiser, disability advocate, humanitarian and arts patron. Her resilience shines through her roots, which date back to the 1850s to the deep South of East Texas and Opelousas, Louisiana.
Her family history and community are marked by perseverance in the face of unrelenting adversity. Generations have endured the scourge of deadly gun violence that began a century ago with her great-grandmother Zephyr Smith Scott (1900-1923). Throughout her endeavors, Nahshon has embodied excellence, a testament to her memory, acute observational skills, strength, and determination as a gun violence survivor. She ranks among California's most celebrated artists and esteemed citizens.
During her adolescence, Nahshon was relied upon by her illiterate grandfather, blind grandmother, and dyslexic mother, assisting them with counting, reading, and writing tasks. During this time, she witnessed the transformative power of a SONY camcorder, which changed Los Angeles and captivated the nation. On March 3, 1991, Nahshon was shaken to her core as she watched the news coverage depicting Los Angeles Police officers brutally assaulting her family friend, Rodney Glen King. With the glare of the media on the family, the chaotic aftermath played out for several years on Nahshon’s front lawn, driveway, and apartment, which King and his wife had previously occupied. Her passion for storytelling, both in print and on screen, nurtured an astute and critical perspective on the world around her. The ongoing saga of King's brutal beating fueled Nahshon's interest in filmmaking and human rights, creating an aesthetic blueprint for her life.
Fourteen miles south of Pasadena, a year later, Korea town experienced looting and arson. Nahshon's Afro-Mexican family members and grandmother, Betty Fuentes, witnessed the flames encircling their Harvard Heights neighborhood, which destroyed a J.J. Newberry store. Betty screamed, "BURN!" The 1992 Los Angeles riots marked the most significant instance of civil unrest in the city's history. Following the incident, Nahshon penned a five-page essay on community improvement and conflict resolution, which earned her a Discover Card Excellence Award and $500 through Scholastic Magazine. The award enabled her family to travel to New York, which sparked Nahshon's desire to live in the Big Apple and become a writer. At age thirteen, Nahshon's passion for writing and TV production was ignited when her John Marshall junior high school drama class visited live television show tapings of the popular sitcom Family Matters. She participated in the JTPA summer youth employment program at age fourteen, working alongside developmentally disabled adults.
In 1994, Nahshon began her journey in the entertainment industry when she was signed by the Beverly Hecht talent agency, marking her debut in a television commercial for Chuck E. Cheese. Between 1995 and 1996, while employed at Universal Studios Hollywood, Nahshon spent her weekends at Sandra J. Evers Manly's home, who was her friend's aunt and first cousin of the late Civil Rights icon Medgar Evers. During her senior year at John Muir High, Nahshon met the famed rapper and actor Tupac Shakur at her prom, where she identified herself as "Brenda's baby." Tupac directed her to his business partner, Tracy D. Robinson, the founder and president of Look Hear Sound & Vision Productions. After graduation, Nahshon interned at Look Hear, assisting directors Tracy and Gobi M. Rahimi. While attending California State University, Los Angeles, she also worked as an extra on the TV series Moesha and The Steve Harvey Show. Several months later, in March 1997, Nahshon was at the Peterson Automotive Museum for the Soul Train Awards after-party. While there, she heard the screeching tires of the getaway car and the fatal gunshots that killed rapper Biggie Smalls.
Nahshon's career flourished as she served as a production assistant for Master P’s film Da Last Don and The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show. At nineteen, she assisted prolific British Executive Producers Charlie A. Parsons and Michael P. Davies at Buena Vista TV (Walt Disney). She later assumed the role of production coordinator for Russell Simmons' One World Music Beat and filmmaker Shauna Garr's documentary 1 More Hit. Nahshon contributed as a production associate at First Option Entertainment for Magic Johnson's 20th annual "A Midsummer Night's Magic" weeklong events and All-Star Charity game, which benefited the Magic Johnson Foundation.
Having dedicated thirty years to the entertainment industry, Nahshon has held various roles behind the scenes and in front of the camera as a SAG-AFTRA actor. Noteworthy appearances include being featured in Jazz Pianist/Singer Diana Krall's music video "Let's Face the Music & Dance" and as a dancer in Gospel singer Yolanda Adams' music video "Yeah". Additionally, she was chosen as a backup dancer for singer Sheryl Crow for the American Music Awards in 1999.
As a writer, Nahshon's literary works have been showcased in numerous anthologies and journals, delving into identity formation, mental health, survival at all costs, and resilience. Her civic engagement, enduring dedication to the arts, and remarkable creative talent spanning three decades have earned her dozens of grants, fellowships, and accolades nationwide. She has garnered support and funding for her forthcoming memoir from esteemed figures in publishing, the arts, entertainment, media, and the United States Federal Government. Beyond her endeavors, Nahshon is deeply committed to advocating for the arts, generously volunteering her time as a grant writer. Over the past decade, she has lent her expertise nationwide to assist numerous artists, entrepreneurs, and victims of crime in securing significant grants, funding, and essential resources. Through her acts of kindness and generosity, Nahshon has made significant contributions to the betterment of California and New York, enriching the lives of its residents and fostering an environment where all can flourish.
Nahshon's fierce reputation proceeds her. She was featured in an interview for Changes: An Oral History of Tupac (Simon & Schuster). Also in 2021, in partnership with Aim4theHeart, Nahshon, Tracy Robinson, and Leila Steinberg hosted a virtual tribute for Tupac Shakur on his 50th birthday and 25th death anniversary. The later event was streamed on Nahshon's TRANSBRATIONS YouTube channel.
Nahshon Dion has been a proud member of the LGBT community since 1995. West Hollywood, renowned as the heart of LGBTQ Los Angeles, boasts a longstanding tradition of pride and inclusivity. As a teenager, Nahshon embarked on his journey of self-discovery and found solace in West Hollywood, residing there for four years. Currently, she's working on a documentary film titled "Renewed Life," which documents her indelible and extraordinary journey of heroism, resilience, and artistic exploration. The film serves as her triumphant rainbow blueprint, aiming to inspire marginalized youth by emphasizing the significance of literacy skills, self-respect, and realizing one's full potential despite hardship, opposition, and violence. Through this project, Nahshon endeavors to foster safe spaces, combat gun violence, initiate dialogue, and pay homage to those dear to her heart.
Nahshon Dion currently serves on the board of directors for Shepherd's Door Domestic Violence Resource Center, which is based in Pasadena,CA.
Nahshon Dion's pronouns are He/She and they/them.
Her family history and community are marked by perseverance in the face of unrelenting adversity. Generations have endured the scourge of deadly gun violence that began a century ago with her great-grandmother Zephyr Smith Scott (1900-1923). Throughout her endeavors, Nahshon has embodied excellence, a testament to her memory, acute observational skills, strength, and determination as a gun violence survivor. She ranks among California's most celebrated artists and esteemed citizens.
During her adolescence, Nahshon was relied upon by her illiterate grandfather, blind grandmother, and dyslexic mother, assisting them with counting, reading, and writing tasks. During this time, she witnessed the transformative power of a SONY camcorder, which changed Los Angeles and captivated the nation. On March 3, 1991, Nahshon was shaken to her core as she watched the news coverage depicting Los Angeles Police officers brutally assaulting her family friend, Rodney Glen King. With the glare of the media on the family, the chaotic aftermath played out for several years on Nahshon’s front lawn, driveway, and apartment, which King and his wife had previously occupied. Her passion for storytelling, both in print and on screen, nurtured an astute and critical perspective on the world around her. The ongoing saga of King's brutal beating fueled Nahshon's interest in filmmaking and human rights, creating an aesthetic blueprint for her life.
Fourteen miles south of Pasadena, a year later, Korea town experienced looting and arson. Nahshon's Afro-Mexican family members and grandmother, Betty Fuentes, witnessed the flames encircling their Harvard Heights neighborhood, which destroyed a J.J. Newberry store. Betty screamed, "BURN!" The 1992 Los Angeles riots marked the most significant instance of civil unrest in the city's history. Following the incident, Nahshon penned a five-page essay on community improvement and conflict resolution, which earned her a Discover Card Excellence Award and $500 through Scholastic Magazine. The award enabled her family to travel to New York, which sparked Nahshon's desire to live in the Big Apple and become a writer. At age thirteen, Nahshon's passion for writing and TV production was ignited when her John Marshall junior high school drama class visited live television show tapings of the popular sitcom Family Matters. She participated in the JTPA summer youth employment program at age fourteen, working alongside developmentally disabled adults.
In 1994, Nahshon began her journey in the entertainment industry when she was signed by the Beverly Hecht talent agency, marking her debut in a television commercial for Chuck E. Cheese. Between 1995 and 1996, while employed at Universal Studios Hollywood, Nahshon spent her weekends at Sandra J. Evers Manly's home, who was her friend's aunt and first cousin of the late Civil Rights icon Medgar Evers. During her senior year at John Muir High, Nahshon met the famed rapper and actor Tupac Shakur at her prom, where she identified herself as "Brenda's baby." Tupac directed her to his business partner, Tracy D. Robinson, the founder and president of Look Hear Sound & Vision Productions. After graduation, Nahshon interned at Look Hear, assisting directors Tracy and Gobi M. Rahimi. While attending California State University, Los Angeles, she also worked as an extra on the TV series Moesha and The Steve Harvey Show. Several months later, in March 1997, Nahshon was at the Peterson Automotive Museum for the Soul Train Awards after-party. While there, she heard the screeching tires of the getaway car and the fatal gunshots that killed rapper Biggie Smalls.
Nahshon's career flourished as she served as a production assistant for Master P’s film Da Last Don and The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show. At nineteen, she assisted prolific British Executive Producers Charlie A. Parsons and Michael P. Davies at Buena Vista TV (Walt Disney). She later assumed the role of production coordinator for Russell Simmons' One World Music Beat and filmmaker Shauna Garr's documentary 1 More Hit. Nahshon contributed as a production associate at First Option Entertainment for Magic Johnson's 20th annual "A Midsummer Night's Magic" weeklong events and All-Star Charity game, which benefited the Magic Johnson Foundation.
Having dedicated thirty years to the entertainment industry, Nahshon has held various roles behind the scenes and in front of the camera as a SAG-AFTRA actor. Noteworthy appearances include being featured in Jazz Pianist/Singer Diana Krall's music video "Let's Face the Music & Dance" and as a dancer in Gospel singer Yolanda Adams' music video "Yeah". Additionally, she was chosen as a backup dancer for singer Sheryl Crow for the American Music Awards in 1999.
As a writer, Nahshon's literary works have been showcased in numerous anthologies and journals, delving into identity formation, mental health, survival at all costs, and resilience. Her civic engagement, enduring dedication to the arts, and remarkable creative talent spanning three decades have earned her dozens of grants, fellowships, and accolades nationwide. She has garnered support and funding for her forthcoming memoir from esteemed figures in publishing, the arts, entertainment, media, and the United States Federal Government. Beyond her endeavors, Nahshon is deeply committed to advocating for the arts, generously volunteering her time as a grant writer. Over the past decade, she has lent her expertise nationwide to assist numerous artists, entrepreneurs, and victims of crime in securing significant grants, funding, and essential resources. Through her acts of kindness and generosity, Nahshon has made significant contributions to the betterment of California and New York, enriching the lives of its residents and fostering an environment where all can flourish.
Nahshon's fierce reputation proceeds her. She was featured in an interview for Changes: An Oral History of Tupac (Simon & Schuster). Also in 2021, in partnership with Aim4theHeart, Nahshon, Tracy Robinson, and Leila Steinberg hosted a virtual tribute for Tupac Shakur on his 50th birthday and 25th death anniversary. The later event was streamed on Nahshon's TRANSBRATIONS YouTube channel.
Nahshon Dion has been a proud member of the LGBT community since 1995. West Hollywood, renowned as the heart of LGBTQ Los Angeles, boasts a longstanding tradition of pride and inclusivity. As a teenager, Nahshon embarked on his journey of self-discovery and found solace in West Hollywood, residing there for four years. Currently, she's working on a documentary film titled "Renewed Life," which documents her indelible and extraordinary journey of heroism, resilience, and artistic exploration. The film serves as her triumphant rainbow blueprint, aiming to inspire marginalized youth by emphasizing the significance of literacy skills, self-respect, and realizing one's full potential despite hardship, opposition, and violence. Through this project, Nahshon endeavors to foster safe spaces, combat gun violence, initiate dialogue, and pay homage to those dear to her heart.
Nahshon Dion currently serves on the board of directors for Shepherd's Door Domestic Violence Resource Center, which is based in Pasadena,CA.
Nahshon Dion's pronouns are He/She and they/them.