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at the changes they made. I was able to bring them the community. The events that came next happened
together, and we worked on the same page for the so fast not even James expected them himself. His
betterment of society and communities. Our positive organization implemented a mentoring program at RAA
actions showed everyone that we were more than what Middle School in Tallahassee. He took troubled youth
they had labeled us.” who had low academic achievement levels, and helped
them realize their potential. Many of the students’
“ I WAS PLACED IN A same students that were labeled challenged were
showed improvement in their academic classes. The

CONTAMINATED WOMB OF
now being named to the school’s honor-roll. James’
PRISON FOR 13 YEARS AND successful streak would not stop there. He then initiated
a program where he helped ex-felons restore their
ONLY GOD ALLOWED ME TO voting privileges. Just as fast as James was working
” were spreading. He was invited to attend the National
COME OUT HEALTHY. and empowering the community, the word of his efforts

Black Caucus meeting in Washington. He discussed
many problems that plague the black community with
Prison became the mark of his fall, but God made some of the most famous black leaders in the world.
prison a womb for birthing his purpose. “I was placed in All of this happened before James could celebrate two
a contaminated womb of prison for 13 years and only years of being free from imprisonment.
God allowed me to come out healthy. He connected me
to his umbilical cord, not that I might survive, but that One vision that James had for Reclaiming The Land
I may have life and have it more abundantly.” Having was to conduct a yearly summit entitled, “The 1000 Men
been released in 2008, James realized his calling. He Rally.” As he explains it, “ it is a call for men to stand
knew he had a remarkable gift to bring people together up and take charge in their communities and families.”
from all walks of life. But some 15 years ago, James The first rally proved to be a success in the eyes of
thought his life was over. James as hundreds of men flooded Tallahassee’s
Walker-Ford Community Center in support of his call.
“When the judge sentences someone to die in prison, it
by Charles Gee is hard to believe otherwise. I’m just happy that my life
was not and is not in the hands of any judge.”

Although James was a pastor at age 17, it was in prison
that his faith grew stronger. In the penitentiary, he grew
sick of watching the new inmates come in day after
day, week after week, and eventually year after year.
He knew he had to do something; he knew he would
have a second chance at life on the outside.

Upon release, James found the community in just
as worst shape as he did the prison system; young
black men were not valuing their freedom. Fathers
were abandoning their duties, and there was a lack of
leaders in the community.
“Men showed up in hundreds to show that they shared
“When you are surrounded by only men for 13 years, these same sentiments, and that we must reclaim our
you realize the plight of them. You understand the rightful place in society as leaders,” James explains.
struggles, their strengths, and their weaknesses. I
knew I could bring them together and get us on the The 2nd annual 1000 Men Rally grew to even greater
same page.” I understood the importance of developing proportions as James took the rally on the road to
a diverse community where men understood the nearby Quincy, Florida to spread the word of men
importance of their mission. taking positive action in their families and communities.

After his 13-year plight, James founded Reclaiming “I was extremely proud of what we were able to
the Land, Inc. and set out to make positive changes in accomplish at the 2nd rally because we introduced

LIFELINE magazine 21