About the speaker

My name is James “Littlez” Eugene Dowell JR.

Born in Jacksonville, NC and moved to Charlottesville shortly after.

Attended grade school (all 12 grades) here in Charlottesville and graduated from Charlottesville High School.

Received my Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Radford University.

Cofounder of Prolyfyck Run Creww, whose main purpose is to work for the empowerment of those who support it, and highlight the historically marginalized Black and Brown communities through RUN.

I am an uncle to 6 nieces, 2 nephews and 1 goddaughter. I enjoy most traveling the world, exploring many different foods and would consider myself an extrovert who spends a lot of time with family.

You can find Littlez on Instagram @yunglittlez & @prolyfyckruncreww

October ’s Theme is Ethos.

Ethos is that specific quality that defines a place, time, or group of people. When you step into a room, a busy downtown, or a community gathering, you intuit its spirit. A messy DIY space invites experimentation and mistakes, a lush city park promises tranquility to anyone who seeks it. Maybe you even know of a monthly event where everyone is welcome and everything is free of charge. 

At its core is a paradox: despite the specificity of an ethos, it’s impossible to pinpoint or trace to a specific origin. What honed that distinctive sensibility is long gone, vanished into myth. 

With our actions and words, we embody these values and beliefs beyond conscious knowing. In turn, we subtly shape the ethos that our descendants — of family, of place — will receive from us. Ethos is alchemic, ineffable, and infinitely ponderable across place and culture. What ways of moving through the world did you inherit?

Our Asheville chapter chose this month’s exploration of Ethos and Colin Sutherland illustrated the theme.