About James

James was born & raised in Grand Rapids to a single mother of age 13. With his father in and out of prison and battling addiction, James spent much of his childhood moving between homes—sometimes living with his grandmother or aunt—and changing schools frequently.

Though he had a love for sports, the chaos of his home life and lack of support led him to seek attention elsewhere, first through school trouble and eventually on the streets. Feeling pressure to step into a “man of the house” role when his mother was injured at work, James, like many in underserved communities, carried a weight far beyond his years.

Despite the odds, he graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in 2003. During those years, James was pulled into the drug trade, selling marijuana and crack, and racking up multiple arrests and felony charges. In 2011, after narrowly avoiding a 10-year prison sentence, he made the decision to leave that life behind for good.

Today, James is committed to being an active stakeholder in the community he loves—empowering youth and standing as a living example of what’s possible, no matter your past.

Contact: