Nahshon Dion

Nahshon Dion Anderson (born April 1, 1978; previously Nahshon Ratcliff) is an American writer, filmmaker, director, producer, artist, publisher, arts advocate and a community organizer. Her work delves into themes of identity, discrimination, and violence, particularly focusing on marginalized communities. She is recognized for her contributions to creative nonfiction and community activism.

Early life Dion was born on April 1, 1978, in Altadena, California. She is an African American Louisiana Creole. Her father died at a young age. She was raised by her mother with her siblings. She interned with them following graduation. Dion attended California State University, Los Angeles for two semesters. The book was a New Yorker writer's intimate, revealing account of Tupac Shakur's life and legacy, timed to the fiftieth anniversary of his birth and twenty-fifth anniversary of his death. Pearce, an editor and writer at The New Yorker, interviews dozens who knew Tupac throughout various phases of his life including those who have never before spoken on the record.

From 2018 through 2020, Dion interviewed LGBT writers and allies such as Jeffrey C. Stewart, Amy Heart, Gerrick Kennedy, Amber Dawn, Michael Arceneaux, Renee Bess, Darnell L. Moore, and DeRay McKesson. The articles were published online in the Lambda Literary review.

In September 2021, Dion created a tribute to Tupac, a significant figure in her journey. This was the twenty-fifth anniversary of his untimely death, and she wanted to honor his legacy. She discovered the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Artist Corps Grant, which aimed to support artists impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of three thousand applicants, Dion was one of the recipients of $5,000. With this award, she hosted a virtual event featuring Tracy D. Robinson, a producer and director, as well as Tupac's former manager and mentor Leila Steinberg, and other artists and writers. Together, they paid tribute to Tupac through readings from his poetry book The Rose That Grew from Concrete and a discussion on his lasting impact on culture and society through his words, images, and music.

In 2022, Dion started hosting and producing a YouTube show, "TRANSBRATIONS". She interviewed arts administrator Lisa Funderburke Hoffman, entrepreneur Dion Peronneau, poet Elmaz Abinader, writers, Charlie Vazquez, Jenn Baker, Michele Zack, Jacqueline Woodson, Jeffrey C. Stewart, Linda Villarosa, Sarah Schulman, Charles Rice-González, Stanley Bennet Clay, Historian Alison Rose Jefferson, Transgender advocates Diamond Stylz, Ceyenne Doroshow and Gwendolyn Ann Smith, drag queens Harmonica Sunbeam, Kevin Aviance, Jazzmun, filmmaker Pablo Mirrales, California State Secretary Dr. Shirley Weber and Los Angeles Community Garden Council (LACGC) co-founder Al Renner.

Personal life

In early July 1997, at the age of 19, Dion was working as a production assistant when she was shot by a homophobic individual.

Eaton Fire

On January 8, the Eaton Fire in Altadena, CA, destroyed her two previous childhood homes, along with the homes of four family members, numerous friends, and dozens of her former schoolmates. The devastation hit especially hard—in February 2005, she lost her older sister, Shennea, in a fire in Los Angeles.

On January 19, she recorded herself walking in Crotona Park in the Bronx. She discussed the aftermath of the fire and its impact on her community, and then published it on YouTube. She launched a GoFundMe campaign, which was ultimately unsuccessful. She traveled to California in late January to comfort family and friends, assist with relief efforts, document the aftermath, and interview residents. This two-week journey marked the beginning of production in California on her documentary film, My Beloved Altadena, the writing of a memoir, and the curating of an anthology titled Our Beloved Altadena: Voices from the Aftermath of the Eaton Canyon Wildfire. The collection includes members of Congress, historians, journalists, firefighters, and students. One vital voice included was Dr. Kristen Ochoa, founder of the Chaney Trail Corridor Project. Of the 60 submissions, Ochoa's is among the most significant for its documentation of the fire’s ecological impact and the beauty of the surrounding wilderness.

In September 2025, following reports that CBS was developing a sitcom set in post-fire Altadena with Black-ish creator Kenya Barris and comedian Mike Epps, Dion voiced concerns that if the show were to proceed, it should involve local consultants and direct some of its proceeds back into the community. Dion also noted that storytelling and humor, if handled respectfully, could play a role in the community's healing process.

To commemorate the first anniversary of the fire, on January 20, 2026, Dion curated Under the Stars: Voices of Resilience and Hope Uplifting Our Beloved Altadena at the Altadena Library District, a gathering that honored the 19 people who died, the 22 reported missing, and residents affected by displacement. The program featured poets, writers, artists, and local leaders reflecting on memory, loss, and rebuilding through storytelling, poetry, and visual media.

Honors, awards, and fellowships

2026 Ragdale Artist Residencey 2025 Intercultural Leadership Institute (ILI) fellowship 2025 New York State Council on the Arts Individual Artist grant 2024 The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Public Space Activation Fund Grant: Arts and Social Wellness 2024 Trans Justice Funding Project 2024 Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA 28th District) Certificate of Heroism 2024 West Hollywood Rainbow Key Award 2024 Rick Chavez Zbur California State Legislature Assembly Certificate of Recognition 2023 Trans Justice Funding Project 2023 National Arts & Disability Center (NADC) Artist Achievement Award 2023 Bronx Recognizes Its Own (BRIO) nonfiction award, Bronx Council on the Arts 2023 18th Street Arts Center Artist Residencey 2021 New York City Artist Corps Grant 2021 Lambda Literary's Emerging Writers' Retreat Fellows & Writers-in-Residence 2019 Selected as a Judge in Poetry for Lambda Literary Foundation 2016 Lambda Literary Bryn Kelly Scholarship 2015 Voices of Our Nation Arts Foundation (VONA) 2014 Bronx Recognizes Its Own (BRIO) nonfiction award, Bronx Council on the Arts

Published works Bronx Memoir Project: Vol. 10 Bronx Council on the Arts (2026) Emerge: 2021 Lambda Literary Fellows Anthology. (Vol. 7) Lambda Literary Foundation Emerge: 2017 Lambda Literary Fellows Anthology. (Vol. 3) Lambda Literary Foundation Emerge: 2016 Lambda Literary Fellows Anthology. (Vol. 2) Lambda Literary Foundation Bronx Memoir Project: Vol. 1 Bronx Council on the Arts (2014)

Articles

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