MEET THE
ARTISTS
LEON WALKER & ROB YOUNG WALKER
THE FATHER & THE SON
THE FATHER
LEON WALKER
Before dedicating himself fully to the arts, Leon retired as a hearings officer for the Department of Corrections, where he witnessed firsthand the complexities of the justice system. Those experiences shaped his perspective and fueled his commitment to creating spaces for healing, understanding, and cultural pride.
As the former owner of JasLeRober Gallery, one of the largest contemporary African art galleries on the West Coast, Leon has long been a steward of cultural preservation. Located on Tacoma’s historic Martin Luther King Jr. Way and named after his children, JasLeRober was more than a space for showcasing the richness of African heritage. It was also a hub for community dialogue, education, and connection.
Through his poetry, Leon shares profound insights on life, family, faith, and the human spirit. His words are both grounding and uplifting, drawing from his personal experiences as a father, leader, and advocate. Whether performing on stage or engaging in community events, Leon’s artistry leaves a lasting impact, creating connections that resonate deeply with audiences.
With a legacy rooted in both art and action, Leon Walker continues to inspire and uplift, blending creativity and wisdom to spark meaningful conversations and positive change.
Rob Young Walker is an acclaimed filmmaker, music artist, speaker, creative producer, and social entrepreneur from Tacoma, Washington. Raised in a family rooted in cultural preservation, creativity, and social justice, Rob was shaped by his father Leon Walker’s poetry and cultural work, and his mother’s leadership in STEM equity.
As the founder of Excuse My Accent, CEO of Rob Young Productions, founder of KuanaʻIke, and board member of Write253 and Black Deported Veterans of America, Rob uses storytelling to bridge art, advocacy, culture, and community impact. His award-winning film Bring Them Home has earned 17 festival selections and four Best of Fest awards, screened at the U.S. Capitol in support of the Veteran Service Recognition Act, and helped fuel national conversations around deported veterans.
Rob has spoken at Harvard on creativity and civic policy and at Spirit Fest alongside cultural leaders on the power of creativity, impact, and collective understanding. As a hip-hop artist, his anthem “Excuse My Accent” reached over 3 million views, and he has shared the stage with artists including Lupe Fiasco, Too Short, and All-4-One.
In Said By The Father and Son, Rob brings his creative journey back home, performing alongside his father in a theatrical experience about Black fatherhood, family, legacy, and the healing power of saying what often goes unspoken.