Aaron Kirk Douglas

Aaron Kirk Douglas is an American journalist, Author, filmmaker, and real estate professional based in Portland, Oregon. He serves as Director of Market Intelligence at HFO Investment Real Estate and is known for his memoir Growing Up Twice and for co-producing the documentary film Monster Camp.

Early life and education

Douglas was born and raised in Springfield, Oregon. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Oregon and a paralegal degree from Edmonds Community College.

Career

Douglas began his career in broadcast journalism in the Eugene and Seattle media markets. In 2006, he joined HFO Investment Real Estate, where he produces the Multifamily Marketwatch research series analyzing housing trends in Oregon and Washington. His market analysis has been cited in Willamette Week. He has also advocated for transparency in Portland's rental housing policies.

In 2007, Douglas co-produced Monster Camp, a documentary about live-action role-playing in Seattle, through Aaron Douglas Enterprises. The film premiered at the Cinequest Film Festival, winning the Audience Award for Best Documentary, and received a positive review in Variety. He also co-produced the documentary Planet Eden, staged at Portland's Fertile Ground Festival.

In 2015, Douglas published Growing Up Twice: Shaping a Future by Reliving My Past (Newsworthy Books), a memoir about his experience mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters. Kirkus Reviews called it "a moving memoir about struggling to form personal relationships in turbulent environments." The book received the 2017 Silver Medal for Inspirational Fiction from Readers' Favorite.

Awards and recognition

  • National Big Brother of the Year nominee, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (2010)
  • Hilltop Award for Individual Achievement in Volunteerism, Multnomah County (2011)
  • Finalist, MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership (2015)
  • Silver Medal, Inspirational Fiction, Readers' Favorite Book Awards (2017)

Personal life

Douglas and his husband, David Morrison Smith, were the first same-[...] couple married at Congregation Beth Israel in Portland in 2003. Their ketubah is part of the permanent collection of the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust education. He serves on the boards of the Broadway Rose Theatre Company and the University Club of Portland.