As a child, Dion was born with “metatarsus varus” also known as false club foot (both feet facing each other). In addition, he also had a serious speech impediment. As a youth, while other students were out at recess, Dion was left with a speech therapist learning how to correct his stuttering and. By the age of 10 Dion was living in predominantly white Portland Oregon where he quickly realized he was not only the only person of color in his classes, but that he was the only one with these two disabilities. It was during this time in his life he came to understand the intersectionality of his race and disability while trying to navigate the school system which didn’t seem to value either. Eventually, Dion had to undergo corrective surgery, which resulted in both legs being broken and reset. Dion spent countless days re-learning how to walk and master his motor skills. Likewise by junior high he was able to correct his speech impediment. Although Dion was able to overcome his disabilities and the stigma that came with it, he soon realized overcoming the implicit bias and racism he encountered would not be so easily. Although there was a small African American community within Portland, the neighborhood and schools Dion attended were mostly white and so in order to get along Dion had to do what so many other people of color feel they needed to do, he assimilated.

 

After 14 years in Portland, Oregon Dion and his family moved to Austin Texas. Dion was ready to move to a new state where nobody knew of his previous disabilities and where there would be more people of color. What Dion was not ready for was how much he had assimilated to white culture and what little he knew about his own. He knew none of the songs, dances, nor terms his other classmates of color knew. This bothered Dion, and he was determined to find a way to navigate both worlds and cultures yet be true to himself. Following high school Dion had made up his mind he would attend an HBCU (Historical Black College). He attended Huston Tillotson College where he graduated with honors. Following graduation he went on to get his Masters in Education in Claremont Ca. before deciding to return back to Portland Oregon where his family had returned.

 

Upon returning to Portland after being gone for several years, he noticed something. Genefication had dismantled the only African American community in Portland. In its place were, health food stores, bike lanes, white owned business, and apartment building low income families could not afford. It was at that moment that Dion decided to dedicate is time, talents, and experiences to help dismantle the systems of oppression and help bring a sense of trust, safety and belonging to all through equity, inclusion, and racial justice. Dion’s commitment to help bring change is surpassed only by his passion for family as a dedicated father his two beautiful daughters, a loving husband to his wife Michele and his love for God.