Full Name
James Bailey
Job Title
CEO & President
Company
Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship
Speaker Bio
James M. Bailey (Jay) is a dynamic force committed to his unwavering motto, "Build As We Climb." With a transformative vision, he embodies the essence of a change agent, thought leader, entrepreneur, and emerging philanthropist, directing his life's mission towards uplifting others.
As the President and CEO of the H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), he leads the world's largest entrepreneurial hub dedicated to growing, scaling, and developing Black businesses. In just five years, under Jay's visionary leadership, RICE supports over 600 entrepreneurs full time, sustaining 4,125 jobs in the community, and sparking a staggering $557 million of new economic impact in the Metro Atlanta area. Jay and his team have transformed RICE into an economic empowerment and innovation powerhouse.
An Atlanta native, three-time TED Talker, and die-hard Georgia Bulldog, Jay has a proven track record of success. His 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 has been recognized with the prestigious National Point of Light Award, named one of Atlanta's "Most Admired CEOs" by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, ranked on Atlanta Magazine's "POWER 100" list of the most dynamic leaders in the city, and honored by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential” leaders in the State.
Focused on education, he serves on the University of Georgia Board of Visitors, as an Agnes Scott College Trustee, a Board Director for the Atlanta Speech School, and Board member for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. Jay is a nationally recognized landowner and serves as a trustee for the Georgia Forestry Foundation and will be launching the Black Land Institute in the Fall of 2025.
Jay, an esteemed graduate of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Atlanta, and the Regional Leadership Institute, has earned numerous accolades. Among them are the Whitney M. Young National Community Service Medallion, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Service Award, the Maynard Jackson Community Impact Award. Additionally, he takes great pride in being a dedicated member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the 100 Black Men of Atlanta.
Currently residing in East Atlanta, Jay shares his life's journey with his wife, Dateline NBC correspondent Blayne Alexander, and their cherished daughters, Sage and Skylar.
As the President and CEO of the H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), he leads the world's largest entrepreneurial hub dedicated to growing, scaling, and developing Black businesses. In just five years, under Jay's visionary leadership, RICE supports over 600 entrepreneurs full time, sustaining 4,125 jobs in the community, and sparking a staggering $557 million of new economic impact in the Metro Atlanta area. Jay and his team have transformed RICE into an economic empowerment and innovation powerhouse.
An Atlanta native, three-time TED Talker, and die-hard Georgia Bulldog, Jay has a proven track record of success. His 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 has been recognized with the prestigious National Point of Light Award, named one of Atlanta's "Most Admired CEOs" by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, ranked on Atlanta Magazine's "POWER 100" list of the most dynamic leaders in the city, and honored by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential” leaders in the State.
Focused on education, he serves on the University of Georgia Board of Visitors, as an Agnes Scott College Trustee, a Board Director for the Atlanta Speech School, and Board member for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. Jay is a nationally recognized landowner and serves as a trustee for the Georgia Forestry Foundation and will be launching the Black Land Institute in the Fall of 2025.
Jay, an esteemed graduate of Leadership Georgia, Leadership Atlanta, and the Regional Leadership Institute, has earned numerous accolades. Among them are the Whitney M. Young National Community Service Medallion, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Service Award, the Maynard Jackson Community Impact Award. Additionally, he takes great pride in being a dedicated member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the 100 Black Men of Atlanta.
Currently residing in East Atlanta, Jay shares his life's journey with his wife, Dateline NBC correspondent Blayne Alexander, and their cherished daughters, Sage and Skylar.
