Dr. James Norris has over 20 years experience working with at-risk populations. He was born into a single-parent household in the Los Angeles area, where gangs, violence, drugs, and adversity loomed large. Despite the adversities and challenges, where many young males became products of the system, he went on to work as a Corrections Officer in the King County Jail in Seattle, Washington, and is now a licensed Doctor and healthcare provider.“Education is the equalizer,” his mother’s words stayed his mind as he navigated the challenges of his youth. Dr. Norris held on to that notion like a lifeline, using it to fuel his aspirations both on and off the field. A student-athlete, he excelled not only academically but also as a standout high school football player, ranking among the Top 10 in California.His skills on the field earned him a full athletic football scholarship to Western Illinois University, where he pursued a BA in Liberal Arts. He had dreams of playing in the NFL, and while an undrafted prospect, he signed a professional contract with the Arena Football League. After spending time in the Arena Football League, Dr. Norris decided if couldn’t obtain his dream of playing in the NFL, he would use his energy to give back to the community like he intended when his football career was over.Dr. Norris didn’t have a clear picture of what his service to the community would be, but he knew he wanted to give to others in the way others gave to him. His pursuit of service to others led him to a role as a Corrections Officer at the King County Jail in Seattle, Washington, where he spent 11 years bearing witness to the struggles of incarcerated minorities facing severe mental and emotional challenges without access to professional help. It was here that the seeds of change were sown, and Dr. Norris decided to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Seattle University.In his work as a practitioner, he discovered that most of the traditional counseling approaches lacked the cultural nuance and relevance to connect with communities of color. This inspired his decision to pursue a Doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision, in order to educate students, counselors, and administrators using a framework specifically designed for effectively working with marginalized groups.Today, Dr. James Norris is a licensed mental health counselor and Assistant Professor he provides the tools to help people become better equipped to face life’s challenges and shift from a state of hopelessness to hopefulness.