James M. Bailey
President and CEO, H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs
James M. “Jay” Bailey is a visionary leader, celebrated entrepreneur and globally recognized voice at the intersection of innovation, economic mobility and generational legacy. Guided by his motto, “Build As We Climb,” Jay has dedicated his life to expanding access, ownership and opportunity for communities and families around the world.
Jay leads the H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), the world’s largest center dedicated to developing and scaling Black-owned businesses. Under his leadership, RICE has become a national blueprint for inclusive innovation — supporting more than 600 entrepreneurs, sustaining more than 4,000 jobs and generating more than half a billion dollars in annual economic impact across Atlanta.
An Atlanta native and three-time TED speaker, Jay’s leadership has been recognized by three U.S. Presidents. He is one of only eight Americans ever honored at the White House as a Champion of Change: Following in the Footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — a national recognition of his lifelong commitment to service, equity and community transformation.
Jay has been named one of Atlanta’s “Most Admired CEOs” by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, featured on Atlanta Magazine’s POWER 100 and recognized by Georgia Trend as one of the “100 Most Influential Leaders in the State of Georgia.” His national recognition spans a wide range of honors — among them the National Point of Light Award, the Whitney M. Young National Community Service Medallion, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Service Award and the Bernie Marcus Downtown Economic Impact Award — a small reflection of the many distinctions that continue to mark his enduring commitment to service, innovation, and generational impact.
He serves across major civic and educational institutions, including the Georgia Chamber, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Agnes Scott College, University of Georgia, Invest Atlanta Foundation and the Atlanta Speech School. As a longtime landowner, trustee of the Georgia Forestry Foundation and founder of the Black Land Institute, launching in 2026, Jay is redefining the connection between land, ownership and legacy. His work spans conservation, stewardship and restoring outdoor traditions within Black communities — advancing a future where land is not only an asset, but a source of identity, resilience and generational power.
Behind all his work is what matters most: his wife, NBC News & Dateline correspondent Blayne Alexander, and their daughters, Sage and Skylar — the heart, grounding, and inspiration behind everything he builds.