Dr. Ed James II

“As long as equality is denied to any of us -whether in education, health care or jobs – the struggle for justice must continue.  America remains a work in progress.”

Edward “Ed” James II is the Executive Producer and Host ofBlack Almanac, which airs on WWSB  – ABC 7 . The show is the longest airing, locally produced, public affairs program in the Southeastern United States– airing for 38 years.  James is also the president of Full Spectrum Video and Film Inc., where he produces and directs docu-dramas, sports production, and religious entertainment.

From 1974 to 1976, James served as the Public Information Officer and Deputy Chief Investigator for the Office of State Attorney 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida.  James handled press and community relations for three counties in the 12th Judicial Circuit – Sarasota, Manatee and Desoto Counties.

James has also served as a columnist for Lindsey Newspapers (publisher of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Sarasota Journal), Director of Public Relations Department for the New York Urban Coalition, Administrator and Director for the Paterson Task Force for Community Action, Assistant Director of Esopus Prep School, a residential school for seriously disadvantage youth from New York City, Brooklyn and the Bronx, and Assistant Director of the country’s first Urban Job Corps located in Jersey City, New Jersey.

James is Founding Board Member of the Coalition of African American Leadership Florida, Founding Chair for the Coalition of African American Leadership Sarasota, Life Member of the NAACP, Life Member of the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association, Founding Member of the Sarasota Committee of 100, Founding President of the North County Civic League, Past Member of the Board of Directors for the Sarasota Boys Club, and a Founding Member for the Sarasota County Low Income Housing Advisory Committee.

James has been awarded the Meritorious Service Award from the United Negro College Fund, the Certificate of Recognition from the Sarasota County Commission, the Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Adult Conservation Corps,  the Lifetime Service Award from the NAACP Sarasota County Branch, the Freedom Award from the NAACP Sarasota Branch, the Visionary Award from the NAACP Branch, the Freedom Fighters Award from the Heritage, the Meritorious Achievement Award from the Pride of Sarasota Elks Lodge #1098, the Top Ten Award from the Tri County National Business League, the Certificate of Appreciation from the Heritage Players of Florida Theatre Company, and the Award of Merit from the Union of Concerned Parents, Inc.