James L. Thomas III

James L. Thomas III was born and raised in Fayetteville’s District 1, where his family’s deep faith and commitment to public service shaped his values. His father, a U.S. Army veteran, and his parents, both pastors, instilled in him discipline, resilience, and a passion for serving others.

A proud product of the local schools Howard Hall Elementary, Pine Forest Middle, and Pine Forest High James went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from North Carolina A&T State University and is currently pursuing a master’s in Project Management at Wake Forest University.

James has served as Freshman Class President at NC A&T, Vice Chair of the Fayetteville Cumberland Youth Council, a mentor with Kingdom of Youth, and a manager at Defy Gravity. His professional experience includes internships with MDC Rural Forward, Microsoft/Pinkerton, and Black Voters Matter, where he worked on equity, opportunity, and community engagement.

Through MDC, James supported the Local Partnership for Public Funding by strengthening data systems and promoting transparency in how public dollars reach nonprofits. Locally, he works with Fayetteville PACT on public safety, civic education, and building trust between residents and institutions.

James remains committed to addressing gun violence, expanding opportunities for youth, and advancing justice through direct community engagement and collaborative leadership.