Johnny 'Ray' James, II

Johnny Ray James is a Senior Consultant with 2Revolutions, a national education design lab. Ray leads a variety of different efforts at 2Rev to increase learner-centered and equitable environments in formal and informal education settings, eager to put the revolution in the hands of learners- now and forevermore. He has a Bachelor's in Political Science & a Master's in Higher Education Administration at Louisiana State University. Realizing the urgent need for Black male educators, Ray transitioned to K-12 schools where he worked for nearly a decade as a teacher and leader in Clayton County and Atlanta Public Schools, KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools, and KIPP New Jersey Schools in Newark, New Jersey. Ray has served as an ELA teacher, school turn-around educator, Grade Level Chair, and Director of Extended Learning. Most recently, Ray served as Founding Assistant Principal at KIPP Soul Academy in Atlanta, GA, where he was responsible for designing & implementing curriculum and building out the region’s first-ever Anti-Racism Professional Development and Culture of Independent Reading programs. Ray is also heavily involved in community organizing for educational equity and reform within local school districts and community organizations. He enjoys spending time with his wife and their 2 young daughters, and relishes victories for the Los Angeles Lakers, LSU Tigers, and the culture (politics, hip hop, etc.).