James grew up in rural Uganda where AIDS orphaned him before he was a teenager. While volunteering for a U.S.-Ugandan charity working to provide solar power to clinics, orphanages, and schools, he met his sponsors who supported him to finish his college education in the U.S. He graduated with a Master's in Public Health and Public Policy from Florida State University. While at FSU he was the global health coordinator for the FSU GlobeMed Chapter, a group advocating for global health equity both on campus and in the city of Tallahassee. He was also the African Student Union President, where he worked with several organizations such as Peace Jam, which mentors high school students on a curriculum of peace and conflict resolution. James was awarded the 2011 FSU Global Citizen Award from the Center for Global Engagement and Multicultural Affairs. James has experience in global health, education and microfinance issues having worked with the Carter Center and BRAC USA. He is currently pursuing a Master's in Sustainable Development, International Policy, and Management from the SIT Graduate Institute in Washington, D.C. He enjoys playing soccer, reading and engaging in political discourse.