Bio

James Hooks has owned and operated companies in the entertainment, real estate, and consulting industries. He has traveled all over the country developing various companies in multiple industries. But before he knew how to run, he had to learn how to walk.

While in college, he began a short career in the music industry under music legend Jack Ponti with Cazzydog Management, who have managed such acts as Boyz II Men, R Kelly, and Indie Arie. During his tenure writing and developing various artists, James Hooks learned the craft of networking, managing various personalities, and the ins-and-outs of a volatile business, tools which he carries with him through this day.

After finishing his undergraduate studies, James Hooks set out a career in the corporate world, working first for a commercial real estate brokerage, then acting as business manager for a real estate investment firm, handling hundreds of real estate properties.

Three years later, James Hooks was Director of Operations for a national real estate auction firm. He gained national recognition appearing in the Wall Street Journal for a multi-million dollar auction he managed in Austin, TX. Shortly after, he was responsible for the organization of a large 80-plus real estate auction in Louisville, KY.

He then decided to trek on his own. From acting as business manager for a national health franchise, to consulting entrepreneurs and small business owners across the country, to owning and operating various profitable start-ups of his own, James Hooks works with executives, managers, and staff to implement organizational changes - painlessly. His focus is on using communication tools and techniques to increase awareness, understanding, and performance outcomes in business, government, and service organizations, as well as increase collaboration, accountability, and a culture of accomplishment.

Now, James Hooks is looking to operate on black culture in his upcoming book, 'Suicide: How Modern Black Culture Is Destroying Black American Progress'.

In 'Suicide', James Hooks deals with the change in direction in African-American culture, from the progressive civil rights movement of the 1950's and 60's to the materialism and lack of educational standards of today. James Hooks also tackles what he calls "Obamanoxiousness," a character trait of blacks who celebrate the election of America's first African-American president with a sense of entitlement as opposed to a sense of accomplishment.

By naming his book Suicide, to be released in September 2010 through Singulus Publishing, James Hooks points to the downfall of African-American culture entirely as self-driven, and the blame lies solely on their own feet - particularly taking aim at such African-American pop culture icons as "50 Cent" and "Souljah Boy Tell 'Em."

"We need to take accountability for the state of our communities," said James Hooks. "What I hope to accomplish with the book is to make young black people stand up in the mirror and take notice at where they are, and where they could be."

James Hooks is founder and chairman of the non-profit organization, American Credit Start, which focuses on giving high school seniors the education and tools needed to start their financial futures responsibly. James Hooks has also been affiliated with multiple charitable organizations including Save Darfur and the American Red Cross, and has been published in the Wall Street Journal. His current interests include politics, community outreach, and education.

James Hooks is finishing his masters degree in business administration and spends time advising troubled youths to pursue substantive career paths, while continuing his activism for animal rights and HIV/AIDS education.