Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric James.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am from Elizabeth City, N.C. and I am the baby of 12 children, eight sisters and three brothers. Growing up in my house, I was blessed to have what I needed. The biggest blessing in my life were my parents. My mother Pennie James, 86 years old and the late Roscoe James, Sr. who when on to be with the Lord in December 2000.
My parents raised us in the church, where we learned about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They were very spiritual so going to church was not an option in our house. They gave us the best home raising that existing because they both were present and they took care of us with their life. We didn’t have a lot of finance but that was not the most important thing. They made things work with what they had. We were loved each and everyday. They made us get along with each other and that was not an option each either. Sometimes I used to compare with other families because we didn’t get the newest clothes or presents. We got what really mattered, a mother and father who was present in the home everyday who held us accountable to be the best you can be. They taught us about the nine core values which were Faith, Family, Noble Character, Respect, Service, Work Ethic, Empowerment, Education and Optimism.
One very important thing growing up as a child was to attend church, fellowship and learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It did not matter your age in our household, we all prepared to worship on the Sabbath Day so that we could begin building a relationship with the Lord. There were so many times that I did not want to attend church because I didn’t understand what was going on and the amount of time we spent at church was daunting. It became very tiresome and I didn’t see the need as a child.
My comforting moments of attending church came when I met other kids or peers and we began to make the church setting our playground. I began looking forward to fellowship but didn’t quite understand the gospel. As a child, we would travel adamantly to church conventions all over the eastern U.S. listening to individuals who were chosen to preach the Gospel. My father played the guitar and my mother played the piano. This sparked us as a family to learn about music and learn to worship through playing instruments. I have siblings who sing, play piano, clarinet, trumpet and I play trombone. We became this musical family creating music and singing worship songs while we praised the Lord. This really made church that much more enjoyable as we got older and began to understand the importance of worship. Church became more interesting when people began to testify about the goodness of the Lord and how they were blessed through difficult and challenging situations throughout the week.
I witnessed my parents take their time to make sure we were clothe, fed, went to school, receive medical attention to name a few. Mind you, there were twelve of us and we all got what we needed not wanted. If I had to name some of the most important family values that we taught by them, it would be how we treated other people, getting along with each other and representing the family very well.
One of my most memorable childhood moments was experiencing “Thanksgiving.” The meaning of FAMILY was exemplified in the James household. I experienced immediate family, aunts, first cousins, nieces, nephews, close friends and some of the best fun in the universe. Every soul was eating, laughing, fellowshipping and catching up from missing each other’s presence. The greatest thing also was the anticipation of everyone coming to my parent’s home on the greatest holiday ever, “Thanksgiving.”
Off to College
In 1990, I received some more great news as a senior at Northeastern High School. I received my acceptance letter to one of the most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities ever established, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University located in Greensboro, N.C. I declared my major which was Computer Science when I was admitted as a freshman during the fall of 1990.
During my freshman year at NCA&T, I concentrated on doing above average work and that I was successful my first year in college. I attended my classes and worked to pay my rent because I stayed off campus. I started a journey to find out my passion and discover what gifts and talents the Lord gave me. I later changed my major from Computer Science because I lost interest and was not that successful my sophomore year while I was studying Computer Science. At the end of my sophomore year, I met with my Advisor to express my concern. I took a personality test and it led me to Child Psychology.
This change of course, in my life was another great decision that altered my life in a wonderful way. While marching in the band, completing my course work and cultivating my skill in Child Psychology, I began working at the Young Men’s Christian Association known as the YMCA. In 1993, I worked with 30 five and six years old to gain experience with understanding the growth of children. Because of my patience and interest in children, I discovered my talent and passion. I began to experience success and love where I spend my time.
As I approached my last semester of college, I experienced a financial situation. I had run out of Pell Grant/Financial Aid and I did not have a way to pay for my last semester in college. BUT WAIT, let me tell you how good God is in my life. Quick story…
While I was working at Food Lion, I met a new employee who needed a ride home which turned into needing a place to stay and he was hungry. I always try to use a little empathy and imagine if it were me who was in need. So I got us food with the five dollars that I had in my pocket, he rode home with me and I provided a place for him to stay. I was concentrating on someone else’s needs instead of my own. Physiological needs (food, water, clothing, air and shelter) will supersede any other needs when threatened.
God allowed me to be a cheerful giver and concentrate on the needs of another. My parents instilled those morals and values into me as a child. As the gentleman got on his feet and thanked me for everything, he noticed that I was in school and trying to make it through the last semester. This is where God shows upon again and does his marvelous work and continues to make me a believer. This gentleman got news that he was awarded an enormous amount funds because of a close relative passing away and gaining wings. He was in his relative’s will and was to receive funds when this specific person became deceased. I was definitely very sorry and apologetic for his loss at the time… BUT GOD!!
He was so gracious enough to pay my tuition and deposit funds into my bank account to keep me stable for the rest of the semester. This brought me to my knees and I was speechless. God has shown up several times in my life during the time of need. It was such a humbling experience that it brings me to tears every time I reminiscence about it. I promise that I would achieve no matter what to receive my college degree. May 1996, I received my Bachelor of Arts & Science in Child Psychology. My family came again once again to support me and witness my GRADUATION. 1990 to 1996 was a journey.
Hello Virginia Beach — 2007
2007 brought on so many changes in my life. One thing that propelled me to move Virginia Beach was getting married to Malissa Y. Gordon now Malissa Y. James. I was introduced to her in 2005 and two years later, we exchanged wedding vows. I immediately began to look for work that fit my strengths and start a new life. I had some early struggles with employment but this was temporary. My faith that God will always provide stood in my heart and soul. I was hired at Virginia Beach City Public Schools in February 2007 at Corporate Landing Middles School as a teacher’s assistant just to get my foot in the door. To supplement my income, I worked with my brother Roscoe James Jr. doing plaster and drywall.
The Lord began to open more doors as job openings began to open up and all I had to do was serve his people however I can, whenever I can, however I can. Later in the year of 2007, a job called Student Support Specialist opened up in the school system which required a four years college degree and I immediately applied. Thank God that I went to school and pursued this degree. I got a phone on a Monday morning, interviewed on a Wednesday morning and got the job off on Friday morning. God is a Great God.
This position of Student Support Specialist mainly involves assisting and motivating students to achieve their best concentrating in the area of academics, school attendance and good behavior. This opportunity allows me to use my strengths, personality and most of all, TALENTS to assist a wide variety of students. In this capacity, I was assigned multiple schools across Virginia Beach City Public Schools to identify students who needed extra support to make it through school successfully. I began to see God’s purpose in my life more and more as I kept visiting students and using what God gave me.
God said in his Word, “BE A LIGHT UNTO THE WORLD.” This involves becoming radical and doing things that the average person wouldn’t ordinarily do to PUSH a student towards success. God began to reveal to me what my purpose was in life because I began to love what I do and I was effective. It all began when I was at Corporate Landing Middle School and at the time, I was a Teacher’s Assistant. Out of the blue, a couple of students ask me to stay after school to play basketball with them. I was on my way to the YMCA to work out and sweat. Right then and there, I used a little EMPATHY and imagined if it were me. I decided to play and shoot around for a sweat with three middle school students. The next time we played ten students showed up, then 15, then 20 then it became 30 middle school kids.
What I began to realize which was quite simple was these kids wanted to have fun and did not want to go home. They needed someone to care about their interest and spend some time having fun. “THE HARVEST IS PLENTY BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW,” SAYS THE BIBLE. The kids touched my heart and I began to build positive RELATIONSHIPS with the students. (God’s Gift) I worked throughout the school day, kids would speak to me, come to me, see me out and want to be in my presence. It was one of the GREATEST feelings in the world.
Moving forward… I was promoted to Student Support Specialist (SSS) to service two other schools and I was EXTREMELY excited. I was trained and sent to those schools to focus on the students that seemed to be at-risk the most. I began to identify students who were in need of guidance, support, mentoring, leadership, a caring adult and most of all two ears to listen to them. I learned patience from my father when I had to take care of him so those instincts kicked in immediately.
July 2018 — Touchalifeacademy, LLC
July 31, 2018, I started my own company because God pushed out of the school system to build my own empire and create ownership. My mission statement is: Building an Organization designed to Improve, to Empower, to Enrich and to Direct the Life of a Child.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
One of the struggles is making sure that you believe in what you are doing enough not to quit. The road less traveled is the successful road. I had to realize that I was very different from most people because I had Dreams that were still alive and they had to Manifest.
There will be numerous people out there who will try to doubt you and attempt to make you feel inferior. I had to realize that it is when you are on the right path. Every great leader had to endure and receive test to see where you stood and how determined you are to keep moving.
Touch A Life Academy – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business, Touchalifeacademy is a mentoring business that focuses on Improving, Enriching, Empowering and Directing the life of a child. There many students out there who have dreams, goals and desires to become successful in their own way but lack the necessary support to make it through.
We focus on acknowledging student’s gifts and talents and then pushing them in that direction through mentoring. We connect with other resources in the community then come together to assist our students. We are known for building strong rapport with students in multiple ways so that they trust us enough to receive our assistance. You can accomplish so much when they realize that you have their best interest at heart.
What I am most proud of as a company is that when God caused me to take my Leap Of Faith, he put the necessary individuals in my life to help me with making my dreams come true. Those people possessed the skillset to help my business to evolved which continues to evolve everyday.
What sets me apart from others is the strong family background that I was blessed to have growing up as a child. My parents taught us about loving one another and establishing a good name for yourself. If it weren’t for them, Touchalifeacademy would not be in existence today. I love you Mom, Dad and my 11 siblings.
Touch A Life Academy will be offering online courses beginning the end of April by going to my website www.touchalifeacademy.com the end of April. I will be discussing the following topics:
1. Removing Barriers to Success
2. Managing Peer Influences
3. Self-Esteem
4. Self-Talk
5. Planned Decision Making
6. Setting-Monitoring School Achievement
7. Conflict Resolution
8. Negotiating with Parents/Adults
9. Stress-Mood Management
10. Dealing with Anger
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success by determining if a person is doing what they are called to do and becoming their best self. There are people who are operating in environments and are not happy with what they are currently doing. Most people won’t look at that as success. I believe a person should always have goals to keep you focused and to help you reach your highest potential. Life comes down to if you are providing a service and if you have maximized your potential before you leave this planet.
However, success is defined on many different levels so it is not wise to compare and compete. Are you operating where you can become the most productive in your life. Is there any type of “good feeling” coming from what you are currently doing and are you providing a good service.
THEY SAY THE GREATEST DISCOVERY IS THE REALIZATION OF YOUR POTENTIAL.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.touchalifeacademy.com (currently being revamped)
- Phone: 7572700135
- Email: touchalife1@gmail.com
- Instagram: @touchalife1
- Facebook: Touch A Life Academy
- Twitter: ejames888
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