"I am a black, female, millennial who also happened to play division 1 sports…I am the epitome of why representation matters!"
– Classye James
Speaker. Advocate.
Techie. Entrepreneur.
Keynote Speaking
As a Black, Female, Millennial in the workplace, it was very difficult to feel as though I belonged. Navigating the transition from being a leader on my basketball team to an underdog in Corporate America was a big adjustment. For the majority of my career, I was always the youngest person on my team (and sometimes in my entire organization). Rarely was I in meetings with someone who looked like me, or who shared a similar background to mine. For a long time, I was afraid to bring my true, authentic self to work. Code switching was a language I spoke fluently. Being a minority often leaves people feeling stuck, excluded, confused, and frustrated—making it difficult to see how vital you truly are to an organization… However, having the confidence to be your self, speak up, become a leader, and ask for mentorship are ways in which YOU can take YOUR career to the next level.
Press & Partnerships
“Classye James uses her lived experiences to inspire current athletes as they take on the daunting task of transitioning out of sport. Her inspiring journey from elite athlete to elite professional showcases her resiliency, growth mindset, and competitive edge. This paired with her passion to create community among student-athletes provides for intriguing, influential, and inspiring conversation; a conversation that provides student-athletes with guidance for their own journey in the next chapter of their life after sport.”
Tobruk L. Blaine/ San Jose State University Assistant AD Student-Athlete Development
“Watching Classye speak was a game changer. She inspired me to take my talent and passion to the next level in starting my own business. I also had the fortunate opportunity to work with her, and she has also helped me secure a full-time job at a top tech startup. Classye has provided me resources and direction to really level up with my personal and professional growth.”
Zhané Gay / LinkedIn
“Classye inspired me tremendously to get my business started. The fact that she is a former athlete made it easier to relate to me, and gave me the proper reassurance I needed to be successful. Her passion, patience and gem dropping methods has definitely helped me grow personally and professionally.”
Chris Carter/ LinkedIn