For founders, leaders, and changemakers doing the real work.
If you’re here, chances are you’re already in motion, launching, leading, or laying the groundwork for a vision bigger than yourself. You care about outcomes, but you also care about people. About legacy. About equity.
That’s the space I operate in.
I’ve spent more than two decades leading strategy across boardrooms, institutions, and communities, both locally and abroad—helping organizations and individuals move with clarity, alignment, and purpose. I understand what it takes to build in the real world, where impact is personal, tradeoffs are real, and resources aren’t unlimited.
This is where strategy meets intention, and where your next step starts to take shape.
Organizations and institutions I’ve partnered with through
speaking, strategy, and systems work.
WAYS TO CONNECT
EQUITABLE INK
I work directly with entrepreneurs, executives, and institutions to clarify priorities and shape strategy that moves the work forward. This includes strategic design, executive advisory and coaching, enterprise value analysis, and growth systems; focused, practical, and without the jargon.
EQUITY NOW
Nonprofit Organization
Equity Now, Inc. designs and delivers financial wellness and wealth-building programming in partnership with schools, organizations, and community-based groups. Our work supports students, families, and leaders with practical tools, strategies, and guidance that build financial confidence, stability, and pathways to long-term ownership.
expEditing CHANGE
Expediting Change is a podcast for people building in the real world, focused on how real decisions get made. I sit with leaders and builders to unpack the strategies, tradeoffs, and lessons behind financial growth and community impact—so you can make clearer decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and move your work forward faster.
"Their team has a gift for making financial education engaging and accessible."
When you work with Shomari, he brings an entire team who is just as committed as he is in helping our young people learn the value of money and how to make it work for them.
Our partnership over the past few years has strengthened the financial education component of our youth program in real, relevant, and tangible ways. Their team has a gift for making financial education engaging and accessible for young people. From facilitating our first virtual investment workshop to hosting a Financial Education for Youth session at Dave & Buster’s to creating the pathway for our two Youth Investment Summit cohorts, Shomari and his team have helped our students build confidence around money, investing, and planning for their futures.
Jaemellah Jackson, Founder & CEO
IT TAKES TWO, INC
"Shomari and his team have continuously created opportunities for success"
Working with Shomari over the past 15+ years has been absolutely great. Shomari and his team have continuously created opportunities for success for those around them as well as pushed building wealth for everyone. Every new project, every new task with Shomari brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that has proven to be priceless.
Mrdwilson Limited Corp, Owner
Dennis Wilson Jr.
"Shomari James is one of the most dynamic leaders of our time"
Shomari James is one of the most dynamic leaders of our time, equal parts passion, vision, and real-world execution. His work to close the Black and Brown wealth gap is not just inspiring; it is concrete, strategic, and measurably transformative. Shomari brings an energy that galvanizes communities and a discipline that turns ideas into outcomes. He is a state and national asset whose leadership must be shared widely, because when Shomari is in the room, progress accelerates.
CEO
Setser Group
Bryan Setser
"he is constantly working to improve the lives of those around him"
I have had the pleasure of working both professionally and on a volunteer basis with Shomari, and deeply respect his dedication to impacting the next generation through financial literacy, specifically emphasizing both general financial education and investment knowledge. Shomari's commitment extends far beyond youth education; he is constantly working to improve the lives of those around him, making a tangible difference for fellow business professionals and entrepreneurs as they strive for growth in their respective fields. It is an honor to work together with Shomari!
Senior Vice President
MainStreet Bank
David Murrell
"His partnership brings invaluable tools and education to our residents"
I deeply appreciate Shomari’s willingness to actively engage with and support Erie County by providing meaningful financial empowerment resources through event collaboration and community-focused initiatives. His partnership brings invaluable tools and education to our residents, helping to build financial confidence, expand access to opportunities, and lay the foundation for generational wealth across our communities.
Projects Coordinator
Erie County | Department of Social Services
Talisa King
"Working with Shomari was an exceptional experience"
His approach is clear, direct, and action-oriented, which made our work together both grounding and immediately useful. Shomari has a unique ability to help you conceptualize strategy in a way that is practical, values-aligned, and tailored to how you think and lead. The insights he shared are truly evergreen and I am confident they will continue to serve me for years to come. Equally impactful was his emphasis on mindset alongside business strategy, which is invaluable, especially for a new founder. I wholeheartedly recommend Shomari to any individual or organization looking to go further, faster, and with intention.
Founder
The Bee Well Group
Makiese N. Devose, Ed.M, CPRP, LCSW-C
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"When he speaks,
people listen"
Having known him for almost 30 years, Shomari has remained deeply committed to family, community, and legacy. His passion for financial education and building generational wealth within the Black community is deeply rooted and purpose-driven. He has created a blueprint for equipping not just individuals, but children, families, and communities, and it’s working. This isn’t theory. It’s lived and proven. He has been a trailblazer for as long as I’ve known him. Having worked with him in multiple capacities, Shomari is a compelling speaker, a forward-thinking strategist, and a trailblazing visionary. When I was running my non-profit, Shomari’s insight and expertise helped us maintain a vibrant web presence for over a decade. He has always been ahead of his time.
Founder
TrueHeart Speaks Enterprises
Detra M. Trueheart, MPA, MA-MHC
"My deep respect for Shomari lies in his intention to not just challenge the status quo, but to shatter it"
As a Black woman in corporate settings, I choose solidarity and action that advance people of color in a nation where systemic barriers persist. I will always advocate, in whatever capacity needed, in supporting Shomari in his tireless pursuit to liberate.
Our paths intersected through a shared belief that financial education is a tool for economic empowerment, with credit unions uniquely designed to support that mission. Through this partnership, I have come to understand how charter schools can positively impact communities of color—and, like credit unions, require informed advocacy to serve students and families well. It is a privilege to serve on Equity Now’s Board of Directors, support the nonprofit’s work, champion the success of Legends Charter School to increase equity through financial education, and witness the transformational leadership of Shomari A. James.
VP of Operations
Labor Credit Union
Audra Pettus
"Shomari is an inspiration to me as a mentor and community business partner"
Shomari is an inspiration to me as a mentor and community business partner. Through his actions, he has shown me that you can be your authentic self regardless of the setting. To me, that authenticity is most apparent in how he commands respect and provides invaluable insight while staying true to his personal style.
Furthermore, he consistently makes it a point to include his mother and wife in his endeavors. This demonstrates that his mission isn't just about himself; it’s about the people he shares deep, meaningful bonds with.
CEO/Media Production Specialist
TuneWorks Media LLC
Omeri Monroe
"Shomari has had a keen eye for details since the first project that I ever worked with him."
His ability to analyze and troubleshoot problems effectively and efficiently is unparalleled. Often I call on Shomari to discuss business relationships and organizational development due to his expansive knowledge on processes and work flow dynamics.
Chief Experience Officer & Founder
In Rare Form Consulting & Events
Adia C. Jordan
MEET SHOMARI A JAMES
I’m Shomari A. James—a strategist, systems builder, and speaker who’s spent more than two decades working at the intersection of financial wellness, institutions, and real people navigating real life. I’ve coached and advised executives, partnered with founders, helped build sustainable systems, and worked alongside organizations navigating growth and complexity—often behind the scenes, where the real decisions get made. Along the way, I built a successful multi-million-dollar organization and opened a K–8 charter school grounded in financial education and community impact.
Today, my work spans corporate operations, education, nonprofit leadership, and community-based change. I bring that full range into every room helping leaders and institutions make clearer decisions, design strategies that hold up in the real world, and build systems rooted in ownership, accountability, and long-term impact.
This work is informed by experience, shaped by responsibility, and applied where decisions actually matter.
The Conversations We’re Not Having, Until Now.
On Expediting Change, I sit down with entrepreneurs, owners, builders, leaders, educators, and disruptors to talk honestly about what it really takes to grow financially, professionally, and personally. These conversations go beyond soundbites, digging into mindset, money, systems, and culture and the importance of knowing where you stand, because what gets measured is what actually moves.
Whether you’re scaling an organization, navigating leadership decisions, or rethinking your next move, the goal is the same: clearer thinking, better decisions, and forward momentum grounded in real data, real accountability, and real-world context.
New episodes drop regularly on YouTube. Join a growing community of people doing the work.
SHOMARI A. JAMES
Building equity, ownership, and forward movement through strategy, finance, and community impact.
Let's Connect
Copyright 2026 Shomari A. James. Site Credit
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