A retired IRS agent, decorated U.S. military veteran, and published author whose life has been marked by perseverance, resilience, and unwavering faith. Born in 1947 in Crockett, Texas, James was the tenth of fourteen children. At the age of five, he moved with his mother and siblings to Tucson, Arizona—a journey that reflected his mother’s determination to protect her children from the racial tensions of the segregated South.

James went on to serve honorably in both the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, including a tour in Iceland. He holds a degree in finance and later founded his own tax corporation. Throughout his professional life, James encountered systemic racism in both subtle and overt forms, experiences that continue to shape his writing.

His poetry and memoirs are drawn from real-life experiences—written decades ago using the language of the streets and the soul. His work has been praised by scholars and readers alike for its authenticity and raw emotional depth. Deeply spiritual, James credits all of his achievements to the strength of his faith and the guidance of his beloved mother, Arlishie Harris Moten, to whom he dedicates his work.