MEET JAMES AVERHART-DISTRICT 2 CANDIDATE FOR U.S. CONGRESS
James T. Averhart, Jr., is a native of Mobile, Alabama, and one of four children. A retired United States Marine, Chief Warrant Officer Five (CWO5). He currently serves as the Executive Director for the Alabama Statewide Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He is the President of the National Montford Point Marines Association, Inc., a Non-Profit Veterans Service Organization whose mission is to preserve the legacy of the first African American Marines who trained at a segregated training facility from 1942 to 1949 (www.montfordpointmarines.org).
James is also the President and CEO of J.T. Averhart Group (JTAG), a non-profit organization that facilitates ex-offenders re-entry into society. He is the immediate Past Basileus/President of the Rho Alpha Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
James enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in January 1987 as a Basic Infantryman and would later change his Military Occupational Specialty to Military Police & Correctional Officer. He served on active duty from 1987 to 2017.
He is a combat-tested veteran having served in direct combat action in Operation Desert Shield and the ground offensive in Desert Storm.
Additionally, James served in support of the Global War on Terrorism, Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in Iraq. He retired from the Pentagon as the Head of Marine Corps Corrections Branch.
James T. Averhart, Jr., reached the highest rank achievable as a Warrant Officer, by being promoted to Chief Warrant Officer Five (CWO5), the technical, Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the Corrections occupation. He retired from active military duty from the Marine Corps on October 31, 2017, after 30-plus years of Honorable and Faithful Service to The United States Of America.
James’ personal military decorations include the Legion of Merit; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (w/Four Gold stars in lieu of fifth award); Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (w/gold star in lieu of third award); Combat Action Ribbon; Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (w/three bronze stars); and the Marine Corps Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (w/gold star in lieu of second award).
James is an active member in his church, community, and several National and Civic Organizations including the American Corrections Association, National Montford Point Marine Association, Inc., National Naval Officers Association, Blacks in Government, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Marine Corps League, and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.
James pursued his educational goals while serving on active military duty. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Arts in Security Management from the American Military University. James furthered his education by earning a Doctorate in Theology and Biblical Studies from the North Carolina College of Theology and Seminary. He is a Doctoral candidate for a Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership from the University of Arizona Global Campus. James is a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne School, Non-Lethal Weapons Instructor Course, Weapons of Mass Destruction Trainer Course, and Hostage Negotiation School.
James has been the recipient of the following civilian awards while on active duty: Governor of Maryland Citation; Governor of Alabama Certificate of Appreciation; Proclamation from the City of Mobile, AL, proclaiming November 2, 2012, as “Dr. James T. Averhart, Day”; 2016 Jeffries Carey National Achievement Award; 2016 Inductee in the National Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. Hall of Fame; Proclamation from the City of Mobile, AL, and Resolution from the Mobile County Commission both proclaiming October 20, 2017, as “James T. Averhart, Jr. Day”. He also received the Key to the City of Mobile, AL, on October 20, 2017. He was awarded the 2023 Omega Man of the Year Award for the Rho Alpha Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
He is the Co-Author of the Biographical History (1950-Present) of African American Senior Marine Corps Leadership, Standing on the Shoulders of Giants (1st Edition/2nd Edition).
James T. Averhart, Jr., previously ran for the office of U.S. Congress, United States House of Representatives, Alabama 1st Congressional District, and emerged as the 2020 Democratic nominee, while obtaining the most votes as any Democrat running for the seat since 2004 (116,949). He graduated from the 2022 class of Mobile United, Leadership Mobile. He also serves on the Board of Directors, for the Mobile Law-Enforcement Foundation. He is a staunch advocate for Social Justice, Equality, and Civil Rights and looks forward to continuing his life’s work as a public servant to his community, state, and country.
