James grew up in Westchester County, outside of New York City. James’s father worked for IBM before becoming a pastor and James’s mother worked as a Social Studies teacher. In college, James played football for James Madison University, while majoring in Speech Communications and minoring in Theatre. James got his start in college ministry in 1999 at James Madison University, Howard University and University of North Texas. He remains diligently focused on social justice issues and has developed programs on youth empowerment, AIDS, substance abuse, and domestic violence. In 2011, James graduated from Southeastern Seminary while simultaneously pastoring a church in Raleigh, North Carolina. James has since helped to plant churches in Maryland, Georgia, and New York. He started the Bridge Church in Brooklyn in 2014. James has been married to his wife Natarsha since 2003. In his spare time, he loves watching sports and going to the gym. James and Natarsha live in Brooklyn with their three daughters: Faith, Leah, and Sophia.