FORT WORTH, Texas — Earlier this week, Dr. Isha James was asked who were amongst those who have greatly inspired her to beome the virtuous woman for whom she is widely known.
As usual, the woman who is responsible for giving her life undoubtedly topped the list.
“My mom is the most intelligent and sweetest person I know,” James told Making Headline News. “She taught me to be smart, have a good work ethic, pray at all times and to carry myself like a lady.”
Much to James’ delight, it is due in large part to her mother’s unyielding love, coupled with those valuable life lessons she’s learned throughout the years that have contributed mightily to her being widely recognized as a woman of excellence and substance, one who understands wholeheartedly the divine purpose for which God has created her.
“I love the idea that I can share my Pearls of Wisdom from both my life’s journey and my professional journey with others and watch them use that to flourish in their own way,” James said. “I’m a born leader, but I also love to lead by example, so I love to see the idea that others are willing to go the course.”
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, James’ wealth of wisdom both as an accomplished Corporate America professional and a Godly woman have seemingly been cherished and commended by countless individuals across the country, thanks in large part to her flourishing empowerment and life-enhancing business venture.
Known in the Corporate America sector for her collaborative and engaging mindset, James is Founder and CEO of Extraordinarily Empowered, a Life Coach/Motivational Speaking oriented venture whereby her key focuses are geared largely toward helping women and girls focus on their inner self, most notably through learning from their past while embracing their future — all while simultaneously building confidence self-esteem and an overall positive self-image and self-awareness.
“Although my initial point was to work with women and girls, men and young men have also found inspiration in my speeches,” James said.
Armed with a stellar Corporate America track record that spans more than two decades, James — whom ironically, is a former competitive track and field athlete — credits the assortment of experiences and life lessons she’s faced in her selected industry for having played a monumental role in her desire to empower women from various walks of life.
“I give students valuable information to encourage their ambition and empower confidence,” said James, A Texas Southern University alumna who holds multiple degrees in business and education. “I am always reminding them that you are not your circumstances. In my working environment, I’m known for talking and being able to successfully take on a project and running with it through execution.”
For what it’s worth, inspiring young ladies to fully execute — or follow through on — life’s toughest of challenges is often amongst James’ key objectives, particularly when duty calls for her to share of her wealth of wisdom before the masses.
“In my empowerment talks and presentations, I am able to speak to audiences of all sizes and customize my presentation topics based off of what is needed,” James explained.
Moreover, considering this modern-day society is faced with a slew of gruesome challenges, particularly amongst youths, James’ venture has given way to her becoming a fixture on middle school, high school, and college campuses, during which she customarily addresses a variety of notable topics, most notably self-image, self-awareness, bullying, leadership skills and the importance of an educational foundation.
“I want to change the world one person at a time,” said James, a mother of five (Jacques, Patrick, Gabrielle, Mya and Vincent).
Realistically and to her distinctly unique credit, her quest to change the world essentially was discovered when she was a teenager.
The tender age of 16 to be technical.
At the drive-thru window at a famous fast food restaurant chain to be even more technical.
At age 16, I worked in the drive-thru at McDonald’s and someone gave me a business card, and on the back of it was a poem (entitled) DON’T QUIT,” James recalled. “My favorite line was, ‘Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.’”
And from that very point on, it seemed as if James had effectively found her niche for inspiring sizeable crowds through her brilliantly amazing speeches.
Talk about a real life encounter with God, one that unfolded, well, a few feet away from the fry station.
“Somewhere along the way, I realized that I was capturing people’s interest and I discovered my purpose, so I intentionally used (that encounter) to make an impact in others’ lives,” James said.
Such an impact has come full circle through constant networking while making powerful connections and building business relationships.
“As a born leader, I understand the importance of leadership and how use it to engage others,” James said. “I think about the poem by Maya Anglou, ‘Phenomenal Woman.’ I realized that is me. When I walk in a room, tall, thin, poised, smart and beautiful inside and out, I know my presence commands the room. I embrace that.”
Besides her beloved mother, credit her sister, Chekesha, and her 90-plus-year-old grandmother for playing pivotal roles in her success throughout the years, a trend that has been highlighted by this distinct woman of beauty having defied her share of obstacles — all of which have helped shape and mold her into the “Phenomenal Woman” for whom she is widely known.
(My grandmother) still gives me knowledge in every conversation,” said James, adding that she’s finalizing speaking engagements for the coming months and that several events surrounding her venture are presently in the works, two of which are a fashion show and a community basketball game that will benefit a scholarship fund for an area non-profit organization.
According to James, the scholarship, which she named Nelda’s Grace And The Dory Sisters, is powered by Extraordinarily Empowered and is named in honor of her aunt who, died as a young child.
“I come from a long line of strong women. I know firsthand that this could be good and bad, but nevertheless a life teacher.”
Suddenly, as she paused and took inventory of her life, James appropriately recited the words once uttered by yet another influential personality.
“Harriet Morgan was quoted as saying, ‘A strong woman is someone who is able to smile this morning like she wasn’t crying last night,’” James said.
Sounding very much like a woman who is walking in the divine purpose for which God created her.
For more information about Dr. Isha James’ Extraordinarily Empowered or to book her for a speaking engagement, call 817.726.5572 or email her at impoweredbyU@gmail.com.
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Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to andre@makingheadlinenews.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.