A 2015 McKnight Theater Artist Fellow, James is a founding company member of Penumbra Theatre and a former member of The Guthrie Theater Resident Acting Company. James has an extensive regional theater performing history culminating with his Broadway debut in August Wilson’s Radio Golf. A 2005 NAACP Image Award Nominee, James was named 2008 Artist of the Year by the Minneapolis StarTribune and received an Ivey Award for performance excellence. James received a Distinguished Global Citizen Award from Macalester College for his work with youth. He is a Fox Distinguished Acting Fellow and Ten Chimneys Fellow.