About James

James has done it all; College Track & Field Coach, Mental/Behavior Health Worker in Phila Public Schools, Small Business Owner, Education Fundraisier,  APSCUF Union Delagate, Newspaper Publisher, and City Hall Staffer. He believes that all of these unique but relatable experiences makes him prepared and ready to serve his comminity on day one.

James was the Head Track & Field Coach at Gwynedd Mercy University, Cabrini College, West Chester University, and Cheyney University.

While at Cabrini College, he was named USTFCCCA Division III Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2008. He was named ECAC Coach of the Year in 2007. His teams finished in the Top 15 Nationally in Division III, in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. During his tenure at Cabrini College, he has coached over twenty-five Division III All Americans and one individual National Champion.

During his time at Gwynedd and Cabrini. James also worked in Philadelphia Schools as a Mental Health Worker. Serving youths with behavioral disorders and autism.

While at West Chester University, he also served as the Summer Camp Director for all Athletic Summer Camps. He manage over 100 counselors and a $600,000 budget. During his time as director WCU Summer Camps grossed over 1 Million annually.

While at Cheyney University, he was elected ASPCUF Coaches Union President and served as ASPCUF Union Delagate for 5 years; fighting for better contracts, better Healthcare benefits, and better work conditions for coaches and teachers in the PA System of Highter Education.

In 2015, James was hired to work in the office of Philadelphia City Councilman David Oh, where he created the Blue Chip initiative, which helped inner city high school students receive free tutoring for SAT prep through local non-profits. Councilman Oh put in charge of running the Youth Non-Profit Symposium and the Black Film Advisory Committee. He also served as a Constituents Service Representative mainly focused on Northwest Philadelphia neighborhoods. He worked closely with RCOs and community organizations focusing on quality of life issues.

In 2018 he joined Bishop McDevitt High School as Director of Institutional Advancement. Where he was responsible managing a department that raised 1Million Annually mainly for tuition assistance for students from 9th District neighborhoods. In 2021, he was inducted into the Bishop McDevitt Hall of Fame.

In 2020, with his business partner Sean Crump launched the Uptown Standard Newspaper. Currently, the Uptown Standard is one of few black owned Newspaper in Philadelphia. He is also the founder of the Uppity Awards; which recognizes individuals from Uptown Philadelphia who are making a significant impact in our community.

Being a business owner and a lifetime resident of Uptown, James understands the needs and concerns of his neighbors and the local small business owners. And he has the experience to get things done.

James attended St Raymonds Grade School, Bishop McDevitt High School (he is a member of McDevitt’s Hall of Fame), and Cabrini University. He and his wife, Sheena Harris-Williams, reside in Cedarbrook.