An Interview with Cameron Peagler: Creator of the Black Gold Project

Cameron Peagler (Yamaguchi, 2019-present)

interviewed by Sierra Block Gorman (Gunma, 2021 - Present) of AJET’s CONNECT Magazine

Sierra: So—Cameron Peagler: who is he?

Cameron: Who am I? I dunno. Former registered nurse, wannabe olympic fencer, photographer, you name it. I’ve done a lot of stuff. I’m just a kid from Ohio, trying to do a little bit of good in the world. 

Sierra: How long have you lived in Japan?

Cameron: About four years at this point. 

Sierra: So, you’re simultaneously doing your art and your activism work and JET?

Cameron: Yeah, and I’m also very active in my local community as well, with my photography. One of my first photography projects was highlighting small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic with the hopes of increasing their customers. ‘Cause you know at the time, a lot of small business owners were losing their businesses. So, I went around and I took portraits of local Japanese business owners and I held a photo exhibition to showcase everyone.

Sierra: That's a very direct form of activism, especially in such a difficult time for everyone. 

Cameron: Yeah, I did that and then I was a grant recipient back when the pandemic was first introduced to Japan. With that money, we donated masks to all the schools and created educational materials. Like I said earlier, I just want to do some good in the world, you know what I mean? So even this event, with the admission fees and all that—all that stuff goes to the performing artists for donating their time today, so I won’t receive any of that.

This article was published in partnership with AJET’s CONNECT magazine.