As President and CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, he leads the world's largest entrepreneurial hub dedicated to empowering Black businesses. In just four years, under James's visionary leadership, RICE supports over 360 entrepreneurs full time, generating an impressive $114 million in annual revenues, sustaining 1,400 jobs in the community, and sparking a staggering $450 million of new economic impact in the Metro Atlanta area. James and his team have transformed RICE into an economic empowerment and innovation powerhouse.

An Atlanta native and die-hard Georgia Bulldog, James has a track record of success. His exceptional leadership and commitment to the community have been recognized by three U.S. Presidents. In 2012, he was one of eight Americans honored at the White House as a "Champion of Change: Following in the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.". In 2016, President Barack Obama bestowed upon him the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his dedicated volunteer service.

Jay is a dedicated member of the Atlanta Rotary Club, embodying the motto "Service Above Self", his impressive board service includes roles on the Georgia Chamber and Metro Atlanta Chamber Board of Directors. Focused on education, he serves as an Agnes Scott College Trustee, on the Atlanta Speech School Board of Directors, and the Executive Board of the Veritas School of Social Sciences. Nationally recognized as a prominent landowner, he serves as a Trustee for the Georgia Forestry Foundation, and founded the Black Land Institute, while in his role as founding Chairman of Citizens Trust Bank's Next Generation Advisory Board.

A alumnus of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Atlanta, and the Regional Leadership Institute, James has been honored with the prestigious Whitney M. Young National Community Service Medallion, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Service Award, the Maynard Jackson Community Impact Award, recipient of the Startup Atlanta Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Bernie Marcus Downtown Economic Impact Award. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha, and the 100 Black Men of Atlanta.