Johnny Ray James

2Rev Coach

Ray is currently the Head of School at The Boyce L. Ansley School in Atlanta, GA. Ray’s post-secondary journey began at Louisiana State University where he earned a Bachelor's in Political Science & a Master's in Higher Education Administration. He also served as the Graduate Assistant & Program Manager in the Office of First-Year Experience designing programs to support success for incoming freshman and minority students at LSU. Realizing the urgent need for Black male educators, Ray transitioned to K-12 schools where he's worked for nearly a decade as a teacher and leader in Clayton County and Atlanta Public Schools, KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools, and KIPP New Jersey Schools in Newark, New Jersey. Ray has served as an ELA teacher, school turn-around educator, Grade Level Chair, and Director of Extended Learning. Ray served as Founding Assistant Principal at KIPP Soul Academy in Atlanta, GA. In this position, he was responsible for designing & implementing curriculum and building out the region’s first-ever Anti-Racism Professional Development and Culture of Independent Reading programs. Both efforts met the urgent needs of students returning to school post-COVID. Ray is also heavily involved in community organizing for educational equity and reform within local school districts and community organizations. Ray has led a variety of different efforts at 2Rev to increase learner-centered and equitable environments in formal and informal education settings, eager to put the revolution in the hands of learners- now and forevermore. Outside of professional interests, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their 2 young daughters, and relishes victories for the Los Angeles Lakers, LSU Tigers, and the culture (politics, hip hop, etc.).