Jonathan James

Business Partner Manager

Jonathan James is a passionate and dedicated professional committed to creating lasting change through education, workforce development, and strategic collaboration. As the Business Partner Manager at The Kalamazoo Promise, Jonathan leads efforts to strengthen relationships with regional employers, develop early-talent pipelines, and expand equitable access to career pathways for Promise Scholars and alumni. He works closely with business and community leaders to align postsecondary talent with industry needs, ensuring that local opportunities remain accessible and impactful.

Prior to this role, Jonathan served as the Community Engagement Coordinator at The Kalamazoo Promise for nearly four years, where he cultivated community-wide partnerships, coordinated large-scale events, and championed cradle-to-career strategies that uplifted Promise families across Kalamazoo. His work is grounded in the belief that everyone has a role to play in building a stronger, more inclusive community.

Jonathan’s connection to this work is deeply personal. A proud graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School, he began his academic journey at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University. Fueled by his own experience navigating the challenges of accessing postsecondary education, Jonathan recently earned his Master’s in Public and Nonprofit Administration from Calvin University. He and his wife, a nurse and small business owner, live in Kalamazoo with their three sons—all future Promise Scholars.

In addition to his role at The Promise, Jonathan serves as Co-Chair of the Kalamazoo Youth Development Network (KYDNet) Board of Directors, is a member of the Coordinating Council for the Blueprint for Peace, and recently joined the Board of Directors for the Kalamazoo Literacy Council. He actively contributes to local initiatives that support youth, equity, and economic opportunity.