Christion Files

Christion Xavier Files, of Columbus, Ohio, started his race on December 31, 2002, in Akron, Ohio. Although Christion was only 20, he affected many people in this relay of life.

Early on, Christion displayed remarkable intelligence and got a head start in his education when he started kindergarten at the age of four. In his early years, Christion attended Liberty Christian, Lincoln Elementary, and Mansion Day Schools. It was at Mansion where Christion had a front-row seat to the vibrant atmosphere that later drew him to Morehouse College: a nurturing environment of love, academic brilliance, and rich cultural heritage.

At an early age, Christion was fearless and one with his inner joy and developed a passion for music and sports. His love for music seamlessly merged with his fondness of dancing. Wherever there was a dance floor, you would inevitably find Christion. And if no music was playing, Christion was known to fill the void with his soulful voice.

Like music, Christion poured his soul into sports. Early on, he participated on the Marion Franklin Recreation Center basketball team, where he was coached by his father and grandfather. But it was with the New World Track Team where Christion found his stride with track and field.

Christion’s track and field career was met with much success when he started high school. He excelled as a student-athlete and demonstrated leadership both in school and the community. His teammates and coaches recognized his gift and influence and selected him to serve as captain of New Albany High School’s Track and Field team. He excelled in the demanding 400m and 4x400m relay. His high school relay team still holds the school record.

Christion’s selflessness and innate leadership abilities endeared him to his peers and teachers. During middle school, The Wellington School selected Christion to participate in a leadership program that focused on the core values of its athletics program: character, commitment, and competition. He served as the Social Committee Chair and on the Meet and Greet Committee at Wellington. He had the distinct honor of being nominated by his class to emcee their middle school graduation.

During high school, Christion consistently exemplified his dedication to leadership and service. He regularly volunteered at the Vineyard Columbus Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels. In 2018, he became a member of The Columbus Chapter of Jack and Jill, an organization committed to nurturing future African American leaders. Despite feeling that COVID interrupted two years of his high school experience, Christion always found a way to bring joy, connection, and humor to his classmates and community. Christion graduated from New Albany High School in 2021, leaving a legacy on and off the track.

After rounding out high school, Christion entered Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was a Business Administration Major, with a concentration in Marketing. At Morehouse, Christion became a man of distinction and made his mark academically and in extracurricular activities. He was co-captain of the Morehouse Track and Field Team and made the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Academic Team his sophomore year. He also served as media chair for the Junior Class Council, and took pride in being a dedicated member of the Morehouse Business Association. At the start of his Junior year, Christion felt that he had “motion” and set his sights on breaking new records in track and embracing his sense of purpose and drive.

Christion uncovered a hidden talent for photography, thanks to his freshman-year roommate. He dedicated himself to honing his skills so that he could capture new memories at Dear Old Morehouse. He soon became a content creator for the Atlanta University Center (@auccam) and later founded CXF Media, a testament to his creativity and human-centric work. CXF was selected to photograph multiple, high-profile campus events, including Morehouse’s 2022 Homecoming game.

A true Morehouse Man, Christion had his eyes set on the future. Through his work with CXF Media, he knew his dreams had no bounds and earned an esteemed internship with American Family Insurance Group (“AmFam”). His transformative experience with AmFam’s social media and social impact teams deepened his passion for human-centered work, nurtured his creativity, and fueled his aspiration to make a lasting impact on the lives of others.

While Christion worked to impact the lives of others, he worked hard to set an example for his true pride and joy, his two younger sisters, Peyton and Morgan. During his breaks, he cherished spending time with them: creating Tik-Tok videos, cooking, and riding their bikes together. He was the consummate big brother and always lent them his shoulder to lean on. Christion also shared a special bond with his grandparents, with whom he enjoyed fishing and tending to their garden during his childhood summers.

Christion Xavier Files was a young man of action. His charisma, kindness, laughter, and unwavering commitment to improving the world left an indelible mark on everyone who crossed his path. He carried with him the promise of a future that could change the world.

Christon completed his final lap unexpectedly and prematurely on Monday, September 4, 2023, at the tender age of 20. Although he departed from us, his memories and influence will forever remain in our hearts.

Christion was preceded in death by grandmother Yvette Ward, great-grandfather Dallas Owens, and great-great grandmother Barbara Files.

He is survived by his beloved and adoring parents, Tejuan and Crystal Files; sisters Peyton and Morgan; grandparents Ernie and Joyce Foster, Tejuan Sr. and Wendy Files, and grandfather Kenny Ward; great-grandparents Russell and Macie Hairston and Carrie Owens; several aunts, uncles, great aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, Morehouse brothers, and Spelman sisters.

Christion’s Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus Ohio. The family will receive friends and family from 11:00am to 1:00pm. The service will begin at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider contributing to the Christion Files Legacy Scholarship Fund. Your generous donation will help support aspiring students to attend Morehouse, a school and community that Christion cared deeply about and believed in.

Please visit https://everloved.com/life-of/christion-files/ to donate.