Home > Blog > Meet Julius: Project Open Hand Porter -- and tattoo artist
Julius is a key member of the Project Open Hand kitchen that helps prepare 2,500 meals for critically ill members of our community every day.
Julius is a key member of the Project Open Hand kitchen that helps prepare 2,500 meals for critically ill members of our community every day.
By Delfin Vigil, Director of Communications

As we've all been told, a true leopard can't change its spots. But if you're Julius Butler, you can certainly add new ones. Because while some may look to a palm reader to find their life's destiny, Julius has written his own story in the floral arrangement of leopard spots tattooed up his arms and clear across his heart.

"I've always wanted to create my own narrative -- to not be boxed in by people's perceptions," says Julius, taking a short break from his daily noon to 8 p.m. swing shift as a porter in the Project Open Hand kitchen. A native of the Bronx borough of New York City, Julius headed to California at age 19 on a Greyhound bus, looking for a new beginning shortly after his mother passed away from an illness. "I needed a place where I could define myself from the ground up and live on my own terms."

Project Open Hand has helped Julius on this journey. He is part of a dedicated team of porters that washes and cleans trays, dishes and industrial kitchen tools essential to help prepare 2,500 meals with love for critically ill neighbors every single day of the year. Even a day without Julius and his porter co-workers, the Project Open Hand mission would go unfulfilled.

"The Project Open Hand mission is very important to me," says Julius, who at age 26 is also on his way to becoming a certified tattoo artist. "Growing up where I came from in the Bronx, you see a lot of poverty and people struggling with addiction. Diabetes was a thing in my family. It's definitely not just about dishes. Project Open Hand's work truly resonates with me."

Known for being a deep thinker, we asked Julius a few existential questions about things that go through his mind while on the job as a Project Open Hand porter.

(I think we know the answer, but) what is your spirit animal?

Yes, definitely the leopard. My grandfather is of Caribbean heritage. When my Dominican and Trinidad cousins and I were younger we would visit the island where he would tell us stories of the Nigerian leopard men of African mythology. I was captivated. Every one of my cousins has some leopard spot on their body.

What song is the soundtrack to your life?

The Super Mario Bros. Theme Song. (Whistles the tune perfectly) Because, growing up I was obsessed. I am a hardcore gamer. In fact, I had some of the leopard spots on my lower arm resemble power buttons on a video game console.

What is your biggest fear?

My teenage years involved living out a lot of my worst fears -- with loss and actual phobias. I think right now what creeps me out are large dogs and cockroaches.

What trait do you most dislike about yourself?

That I overthink things. I use critical thinking about some of the most basic things. Life is trial and error even when you do have support. I make a point to try not to make the same mistake twice. I'm not in the mood to have to relearn lessons.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Leopard everything. From my clothes to my room, everything has a leopard or feline theme to it.

What living person do you most admire?

Rhianna. We're both February babies. I love her style and how her aesthetic is always changing. It's similar to mine in that we never rock the same hairstyle twice. And of course, her songs relate to my life.

Where do you feel most at home?

In nature. I love being alone in the outdoors where I can be reflective and meditative. Trees and wildlife helps out a lot.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Running my own tattoo school where I can share part of my artistic skill on a living breathing canvas.

What is your favorite Project Open Hand meal?

Beef stew. And the meat loaf!

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