Committed to living by his personal motto, “Build As We Climb”, change agent, thought leader, entrepreneur and emerging philanthropist, James M. Bailey has dedicated his life to serving others.
James serves as the President and CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE). A $50 million dollar endeavor honoring the great legacy and visionary business leadership of Herman J. Russell, Sr., he will lead the development of the largest center in America, dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs and small business owners; over 54,000 square feet designed to inspire BIG IDEAS, create jobs, grow companies, and increase wealth in the community.
An Atlanta native and die-hard Georgia Bulldog, James has a proven track record of success, recognized by 3 U.S. Presidents for his leadership and community efforts. In 2012, James 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.”
A National Point of Light Award recipient, James was recently named to the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s POWER 100 Most Influential Leaders in the City and Georgia Trend Magazine’s, Georgia 500 Most Influential Leaders in the State.
A graduate of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Atlanta, and the Regional Leadership Institute, He is a recipient of the coveted Whitney M. Young National Community Service Medallion, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Service Award, a New Leaders Council Fellow, member of Alpha Phi Alpha and the 100 Black Men of Atlanta.
James, his wife, NBC news correspondent Blayne Alexander and their beautiful daughter Sage currently live in East Atlanta, Georgia.