Cornelius Swart

Cornelius Swart is a multi-media reporter, independent documentary filmmaker and producer, whose work often depicts the ongoing battle between gentrification, housing, race and class in urban America.

Swart's first documentary, "NorthEast Passage", focuses on gentrification in the late 90's in black neighborhoods of Portland, Oregon. It is a unique and complex portrait of a neighborhood in the midst of dramatic change, and largely features resident Nikki Wiliams, who welcomed gentrification in the hopes of living in a safe and prosperous black community. "NorthEast Passage" chronicles the clashes between those who advocate making rental properties available to low-income individuals and families, and those who promote home ownership.

Swart's second documentary, "Priced Out", debuted at the Northwest Film Center's Filmakers's Festival in 2017, and revisits the same community Swart interviewed almost 15 years ago. Exploring the complexities and contradictions of gentrification, "Priced Out" offers an insight into the history of housing discrimination in the nation's whitest city, and the personal impact it has on residents, such as Williams.

In 2018, Swart began releasing a series of podcasts, appropriately named "Priced Out: The Podcast", which further discusses important issues facing U.S. cities, such as the gap between the rich and the poor, economic and racial disparities, and more.

He has worked on staff at The Oregonian newspaper, KGW NewsChannel 8 and as Content Director for the online news website GoLocalPDX.com.