A Conversation with Matt James
TV personality, entrepreneur, crypto economy leader, and activist MATT JAMES is best known for his historic role as the first Black male lead on ABC’s The Bachelor, and now uses his platform to advocate for social change and awareness. In this moderated conversation, Matt shares candid insights from his experience as a reality TV star, wisdom about pursuing mission-focused entrepreneurial projects, and his passionate advocacy for food justice and human rights.
In Conversation About the Crypto Economy
TV personality, entrepreneur, and activist MATT JAMES has quickly become a thought leader in the crypto economy. A co-founder of Encrypted Energy and member of Crypto for Black Economic Empowerment, Matt offers leading edge insights about cryptocurrency, blockchain, NFTs, and pursuing mission-driven opportunities in innovation.
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Matt James shares the story behind his ground-breaking TV role in his new memoir, First Impressions
When serial entrepreneur, non-profit CEO, and activist MATT JAMES signed on to become the first Black lead on ABC’s The Bachelor, he had no idea what was in store – and he shares his story in the highly-anticipated memoir First Impressions: Off Screen Conversations with a Bachelor on Race, Family, and Forgiveness. While his casting was widely celebrated as long-overdue progress on the hugely popular primetime show, and millions of viewers fell in love with James, the show only provided a first impression of his experience.
Off-screen, conversations around the show revealed the realities and inescapable challenges of being Black in America, as well as the depth of racism that still exists today. Living at the intersection of these important issues, James offers the wisdom this one-of-a-kind experience granted him and insights about his life that led to such a divisive moment in TV history. In his writing and captivating moderated conversations, James shares his personal journey as well as the advocacy work that keeps him at the forefront of conversations about racial equity, entrepreneurship, and values-driven leadership – inspiring audiences of all kinds to make a difference.
Matt James is an American television personality, entrepreneur, and cryptocurrency advocate, most recently known for being the first Black male lead on ABC’s hit show, The Bachelor - just days after the murder of George Floyd. His season became a flashpoint for racial dialogue and propelled him to the forefront of many important conversations.
Born and raised in Raleigh, NC, Matt was a gifted athlete early on. His football career would eventually span Wake Forest University, the Carolina Panthers, and the New Orleans Saints. After graduating college with a degree in Economics, Matt worked in finance & commercial real estate. Matt founded ABC Food Tours in 2018 (NYC based non-profit) to create educational experiences for low-income students.
James has recently cultivated another passion; blockchain and cryptocurrency. Matt is a co-founder of 'Encrypted Energy,' a cryptocurrency mining company that sources clean energy to mine bitcoin. He is a member of Crypto for Black Economic Empowerment (CBEE), a collective of the most influential Black crypto and Blockchain thought leaders. James is also an owner and supporter of the NFT movement, with a particular interest in artists of color (AKU) and female creators (Women of the World, Boss Beauties). He advises several digital media companies on the future of the Metaverse & Web3.
Education is a central focus for all of James’ work. In 2021, he partnered with crypto marketplace BlockFi to create crypto educational content geared toward women & communities of color and is working with Gemini to develop a financial literacy curriculum.
James’ has long standing partnerships with Walmart, Amazon, and is a minority owner of hydroponic farming company Lettuce Grow.
James currently lives in New York. He spends his free time exercising, farming, and eating his way through the city.
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