In 1945, James J. Hankins was the fifth child born to his mother, a teacher and his father, a barber in Wilmington, NC. He was baptized at St. Thomas Catholic Church and attended St. Thomas Catholic School in grades one through eight. He wad graduated from Williston Senior High School in 1964 where he was a starter on the football team. After high school, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He was graduated from NC A&T State University in 1971 with a degree in Building Construction. After completing the preparation cycle of his life, James moved to the career path by accepting a position teaching shop and drafting at his old school, Williston (Senior High)in 1973.

Joining tht NAACP while in the sixth grade led to his lifelong work as a community leader / freedom fighter.He was elected vice-president of the youth chapter during the legally segregated 60ths when Blacks conducted non-violent sit-ins and demonstrations. He was arrested in 1961 in a civil rights demonmstraion. James joined the local adult branch of the NAACP and served in various leadership positions, over a fifty-year period, including president.

This entrepreneur became a Real Estate Broker (J. Hankins Realty) and a licensed General Contractor(J. Hankins Construction)while teaching Vocational Education in New Hanover County Schools.

After twenty-seven years of successful teaching, he took early retirement to be a cardgiver to his 85-year-old mother. He used those two years to develop a closer bond with his mother and write his book "What We Blacks Need To Do".

James' wife is also a retires teacher and a entrepreneur (F.B. Hankins,CPA). Their son is a second year Social Studies teacher in Knightdale, NC.

This cheerful giver's volunteer work includes counseling former students,participating in ministries at St. Mary Catholic Church, organzing a debate amoung high school students and serving as President of The Family and Neighborhoods Institue.

Currently, he is Construction Manager for the Wilmington YouthBuild program. His students will begin building a "Habitat" house on Corbett Street in February 2011. James' motto is "Yes I Can".