James Wright

James is a project manager for strategy and operations at the Center for Health Justice. He manages Deeply Rooted, a community-academic collaborative focused on using the healing power of nature to improve health.

James has 19 years of experience in neighborhood planning, economic and real estate development, and galvanizing multiple stakeholders to leverage community assets. He was recognized as a 2016 Rising Star by the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations. Before joining the Center for Health Justice, James was the director of community, economic, and real estate development, and a commercial corridor manager, at HopePHL (formerly People’s Emergency Center), where he oversaw the economic development and revitalization of the Lancaster Avenue Commercial Corridor. A native of Southwest Philly and current resident of Cobbs Creek in West Philadelphia, James serves on the boards for the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Philadelphia Assembly, and Entrepreneur Works. He previously served on the boards of Mighty Writers and the West Philly Tool Library.

James holds an MBA in Urban Economic Development from Eastern University.