<\/a><\/p>\n

James Dixon has a lot of friends, and there\u2019s a good reason for it. \u201cIt\u2019s really important for people to connect,\u201d he explains. \u201cSay hello to a stranger and just make eye contact. Just get to know someone,\u201d he finishes with a hint of exasperation.<\/span><\/p>\n

You see, James\u2019 job is to get to know people; to help people and be a true-blue community and cultural activist. \u201cI\u2019m a cultural activist and artistic ambassador for the Color of Now, which is a new organization that fosters community discussions around specific equity topics,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, Portland is just the place for this type of work. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPortland is quite a focal point,\u201d he says. \u201cThere\u2019s something about this place, it has a special energy.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

He pauses for a moment before continuing. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, it doesn\u2019t have enough ethnic diversity, though that is changing as plenty of people of color venture to Portland,\u201d he finishes.<\/span><\/p>\n

A person of color venturing to Portland is something James knows quite well. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m originally from Goldsboro, North Carolina,\u201d he explains. \u201cI entered the military at eighteen and left for quite some time, traveling the world with the military.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Upon finishing his time in the service, James found himself in Portland, where he\u2019s been for the past nine years, though recently he did try his luck in New York, of all places.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI love how bustling New York is,\u201d he says before reminding us that \u201cit\u2019s a very rough city, very difficult.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After about a month in the Big Apple, James returned to the City of Roses, where he stepped right back into his community activism and work as an actor.<\/span><\/p>\n

For almost five years James worked in IT at the Gerding Theater at the Armory, where his computer science degree came in handy. After quitting that job and moving to New York and back, James is focusing on where his true passion lies. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m an actor, a working performer,\u201d he says. \u201cI have a radio show and I host events. I do voice overs and I model. I\u2019m also a freelancer,\u201d he says before mentioning that he is still looking for a full-time job, even as he books acting gigs. <\/span><\/p>\n

Being an actor takes a certain amount of empathy. Artistic expression requires understanding and the ability to put yourself in someone else\u2019s shoes, something James knows well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all about supporting the underdog,\u201d he asserts. \u201cI can\u2019t stand bullies and there\u2019s a lot of bullying happening on the state and federal level right now. A lot of people don\u2019t even realize it\u2019s happening to them. A lot of my work is pointing out these things and trying to foster conversations around these things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Fostering conversations isn\u2019t hard when you are as immersed in the community as James is. Having <\/span>PDX People<\/span><\/a> like him representing the needs of the underserved, and forcing the hard conversations, is exactly what Portland needs, and we thank him for it. <\/span><\/p>\n

William Bessette<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 PDX People Contributor<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>William Bessette is a journalist and freelance writer who has been covering politics, entertainment, culture and travel for over thirteen years. When he\u2019s not profiling Portland-area restaurants and residents, you can find him reporting on national and international travel and eco-tourism through his travel brand, <\/span><\/em><\/strong>Floppy Hat Adventures<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Follow William on: <\/span><\/strong> Facebook<\/u><\/span><\/a>\u00a0, Twitter<\/span><\/u><\/a>\u00a0 Connect with William on:<\/span><\/strong> LinkedIn<\/span><\/u><\/a><\/p>\n

 
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