Experience

Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• President and CEO

  • May 2018 - Present

  Greater Atlanta Area Launching in 2019, honoring the great legacy and visionary business leadership of Herman J. Russell, Sr., The Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RCIE), will be the largest center in the America, driven by community impact, devoted to empowering African American entrepreneurs and small business owners. The only initiative of its kind in the region, RCIE will be part incubator, part accelerator, part innovation lab and even part museum; changing the narrative by telling… Show more Launching in 2019, honoring the great legacy and visionary business leadership of Herman J. Russell, Sr., The Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RCIE), will be the largest center in the America, driven by community impact, devoted to empowering African American entrepreneurs and small business owners. The only initiative of its kind in the region, RCIE will be part incubator, part accelerator, part innovation lab and even part museum; changing the narrative by telling the untold stories of African American entrepreneurs and business leaders of past and present, while offering access to place and space, resources, mentorship, and educational opportunities. Atlanta’s nexus between community, enterprise, access and opportunity. Ultimately building a prepared and capable pipeline of entrepreneurial leaders and sustainable businesses that will raise the collective prosperity of Atlanta—just as Mr. Russell did in so many ways. In the heart of one of Atlanta’s Opportunity Zones - over 50,000 SF of affordable coworking, convening, meeting and makerspace; along with a robust offering of educational, mentoring, networking, and capital resources; dedicated to inspiring ideas, creating jobs, scaling companies, and increasing wealth in the community Show less



Emory University - Goizueta Business School

• United States
• Higher Education
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Entrepreneur In Residence

  • Aug 2021 - Present

  Atlanta, Georgia, United States The spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation grows stronger by the year at Goizueta Business School, where at least 20 percent of the student body aspires to found a company in the future. Through commitment to mentoring, teaching, and inspiring those who follow in their footsteps, the members of Goizueta’s 2021-23 Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiR) cohort are poised to help students translate vision into impact. The EiR program is housed within The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for… Show more The spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation grows stronger by the year at Goizueta Business School, where at least 20 percent of the student body aspires to found a company in the future. Through commitment to mentoring, teaching, and inspiring those who follow in their footsteps, the members of Goizueta’s 2021-23 Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiR) cohort are poised to help students translate vision into impact. The EiR program is housed within The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, launched in 2021 to foster entrepreneurship and innovation by offering vital support in three areas: entrepreneurship, early-stage investing, and innovation. The EiR program plays a vital role in the Center’s efforts to support entrepreneurship, early-stage investing, and innovation. Since the creation of the program in 2017, Goizueta has selected EiRs whose backgrounds and experiences align with these priorities. Show less



Phoenix Leadership Foundation

• United States
• Philanthropic Fundraising Services

• Chairman

  • Sep 2015 - Present

  Greater Atlanta Area WE WILL CHANGE THE WAY THE WORLD SEES YOUNG BLACK MEN. MISSION: We fund and develop programs that provide positive role models and create leaders. Our goal is to inspire youth to rise from the ashes of their circumstance and soar towards living in their purpose. PURPOSE: We must invest in programs that reignite passion and aspiration in our young people, providing role models and road maps that will give them every opportunity to succeed. We believe in a world where this is… Show more WE WILL CHANGE THE WAY THE WORLD SEES YOUNG BLACK MEN. MISSION: We fund and develop programs that provide positive role models and create leaders. Our goal is to inspire youth to rise from the ashes of their circumstance and soar towards living in their purpose. PURPOSE: We must invest in programs that reignite passion and aspiration in our young people, providing role models and road maps that will give them every opportunity to succeed. We believe in a world where this is possible, we believe in a community reemerging and redefining itself. Where there is despair, providing hope and where there is lack, providing opportunity. Our young men are simply a product of what they see every day, for those that need it most, the purpose of the Phoenix Leadership Foundation is to give them something different to see. www.phoenixleadership.org Show less



Greenwood Archer

• United States
• Capital Markets

• Managing Partner

  • Jun 2015 - Present

  Greater Atlanta Area Greenwood Archer is a minority owned, forward thinking private equity firm focused on investing in emerging domestic markets, urbanization and affordable housing. At Greenwood Archer, we think differently. We seek to provide returns to both the social and financial bottom line. Our core belief is simple: relationships matter. That principle is at the heart of our “Human Capital” approach; it is vital to who we are and how we work to deliver market-leading performance. We will… Show more Greenwood Archer is a minority owned, forward thinking private equity firm focused on investing in emerging domestic markets, urbanization and affordable housing. At Greenwood Archer, we think differently. We seek to provide returns to both the social and financial bottom line. Our core belief is simple: relationships matter. That principle is at the heart of our “Human Capital” approach; it is vital to who we are and how we work to deliver market-leading performance. We will re-imagine the way America’s most underserved communities leverage assets, establish wealth, strengthen infrastructure and create jobs. Creating stakeholders, adding value, delivering results. Welcome to Greenwood Archer. www.greenwoodarcher.com Show less



Citizens Trust Bank

• Banking
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chairman, Next Generation Advisory Board

  • Apr 2016 - Oct 2019

  Greater Atlanta Area Citizens Trust Bank, a recognized leader in the financial services industry, today announces its Next Generation Advisory Board (NGAB). The advisory board will serve in a collaborative capacity to explore innovative and strategic ways to offer financial solutions to a changing and diverse demographic. NGAB is comprised of thirteen young and inspiring Atlanta business leaders who have an interest in enhancing access to financial services to build wealth and financial success for the current… Show more Citizens Trust Bank, a recognized leader in the financial services industry, today announces its Next Generation Advisory Board (NGAB). The advisory board will serve in a collaborative capacity to explore innovative and strategic ways to offer financial solutions to a changing and diverse demographic. NGAB is comprised of thirteen young and inspiring Atlanta business leaders who have an interest in enhancing access to financial services to build wealth and financial success for the current generation and generations to come. Show less



Operation HOPE

• Financial Services
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer - Southeast Region

  • May 2007 - Jun 2015

  Greater Atlanta Area As Market CEO, James is responsible for all programming, services, and development for HOPE offices throughout the Southeast Region. He manages HOPE’s national partnership with the Church of God and Christ, and is National Director of the Banking on Our Future, College Empowerment Program, an extension of HOPE’s outstanding financial dignity work with grades 4 through 12. The program was developed to empower college students to become stakeholders in their own lives, on their campuses, and in… Show more As Market CEO, James is responsible for all programming, services, and development for HOPE offices throughout the Southeast Region. He manages HOPE’s national partnership with the Church of God and Christ, and is National Director of the Banking on Our Future, College Empowerment Program, an extension of HOPE’s outstanding financial dignity work with grades 4 through 12. The program was developed to empower college students to become stakeholders in their own lives, on their campuses, and in the community. Through a partnership with the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the program will be offered at all 105 of its member institutions, as well as colleges and universities across the U.S. Show less