We’re looking forward to introducing you to Lacroy Nixon. Check out our conversation below.
Lacroy, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I wake up every morning at 4 AM to get ready for work and pray. I work two jobs, and throughout the week, I volunteer at my church, run youth programs for my city, and oversee operations of my nonprofit.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Lacroy “Atlas” Nixon was born in Charlotte, NC, and raised in Williamsburg, VA. He earned his bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Liberty University and has been writing/performing spoken word poetry for 10 years. He spent 2 years as a regional Director of teen programming for the YMCA and is on the executive board for the Writers Guild of Virginia, is a current member of the poetry, society of Virginia, has a book available entitled “God and his humor”, and was an artist with the Hope Booth Movement (A world-changing initiative that toured across 19 cities in the United States in March 2022, debuted in London, UK in October 2021). The Hope booth re-purposes, all telephone booths into three minute interactive, immersive experiences that combine art and technology to produce messages of hope in a conversational format and featured in an open mic hosted by Genetics
Atlas is also a 2x back to back (2023 and 2024) verb benders grand slam champion , and is the 2025 king of the south champion. He also has helped the Verb Benders slam team reach a number 10 and number 3 spots in the United States. In addition, Atlas was also a national finalist for the “poetry me please“ people’s choice competition where winners got the chance to perform at the Apollo theater in New York City. In 2025, Atlas was one of 10 poets selected from across the nation as a competitor in the poetry me, please annual “Bet On Yourself” slam competition. He has featured on VPM’s “In The Pen: with Roscoe Burnems”, and is the lead curator for the Williamsburg Tiny Desk.
Atlas also founded Slam Connection, a slam poetry-based organization in Williamsburg created to use poetry, slam poetry, and spoken word as a means for community action. In just over two years of operation, slam connection has created its own curriculum, holds free open mics every month, has taught poetry to incarcerated youth, partnered with the local library and the city of Williamsburg to enrich the culture, and hosted the biggest single-day poetry events in the history of Williamsburg. In addition to poetry, he was also an educator through the Child Defense Fund Freedom School program for two years as a servant leader intern and a site coordinator
In April 2025, Atlas made history by becoming the first ever poet laureate of Williamsburg, Virginia, marking the beginning of a new era for art and creativity in the city. Lacroy “Atlas” Nixon loves Jesus and hopes to inspire people to be the best version of themselves through arts and self expression.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
If I’m being honest, I’ve never really listen to the world or its opinions on what I should be. Growing up as a pastors kid, I was already outside of the mold of what most would consider “normal”. In addition, being a black male with a high GPA, athletic ability, and heavy involvement in community stopped me from being put in any boxes. If anything, I’ve been an outsider from the beginning.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I used to fear what people thought of me. The fear of a negative perception used to keep me alongside people that had negative perceptions of themselves. If life has taught me anything, it has taught me that people that talk the most do the least. The minute I stopped caring about what people thought of me is when I started to Flourish.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Very much so. The reason there is a “public version“ of me is because I have been the same person in private. In the work that I do for my community, I cannot afford to be anything but authentic.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
Despite my accomplishments and drive to do well for my community, I am really just a regular person. One thing I find myself saying is that “I don’t have super powers. I just work hard.” And most of all, the reason I work, so hard is because I believe that there’s gonna come a day when I can’t be the face of the movement. So I prepared the ground for others to grow in my place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://slamconnection.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: @atlasnixon
- Facebook: LaCroy Nixon
- Youtube: Slam connection
Image Credits
Kit Rose
John Lassiter
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
