"Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.

Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.

Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space."

JAMES DONALDSON
TOPICS - • Entrepreneurship • Inspirational • Marketing 
• Mental Health • Motivation • Self-Help • Sports • Teamwork

JAMES DONALDSON - PROGRAMS

  • A Small Business Entrepreneur's Top 10 Playbook
  • You are Not a Victim, and neither am I
  • Realizing It’s Better to Hang On In There
  • The Three Phases of Life
  • The 3 D’s

Groups & Associations

  • - 4C Coalition - At Risk Children’s Mentoring Program (Board Member)
  • - All As One (Sierra Leone Children’s Orphanage) (Advisory Board)
  • - Board of Governors – Columbia Tower Club (Seattle)
  • - Boy Scouts of America (Seattle)
  • - Breakfast Group, The (Seattle)
  • - Central Area Senior Center (Seattle)
  • - Columbia Tower Club (Seattle)
  • - Communities In Schools (Tacoma)
  • - Greater Chinese Chamber of Commerce
  • - Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, The (Board Member) (Seattle)
  • - Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce: Executive Committee
  • - Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce: Diplomat
  • - Honorary Commander At McCord Air Force Base (Tacoma)
  • - International District Rotary Club
  • - Kiwanis International (Seattle) Club
  • - Magnolia Community Advisory Council (Seattle)
  • - Mill Creek Business Association (Mill Creek)
  • - Mount Zion Baptist Church Scholarship Committee (Seattle)
  • - Mount Zion Baptist Church Health Ministry (Seattle)
  • - NAACP – (Tacoma)
  • - NAMI-Seattle (National Alliance of Mental Illness)
  • - Northwest Minority Business Council (Tukwila)
  • - PAWS (Board Member
  • - Riley Group, The (Seattle)
  • - Sound Transit Diversity Oversight Committee (Seattle)
  • - South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce (Lynnwood)
  • - Sukarya (India) – Global Ambassador
  • - Tacoma – Pierce County Black Collective (Tacoma)
  • - Urban Enterprise Center (Board Member) (Seattle)
  • - Urban League – Tacoma, The (Tacoma)
  • - Washington State Mentors (Board Member / Executive Committee)
  • - Washington State University Alumni Association
  • - Washington State University Gray “W” Club
  • - Werlin Reading Program, The (Tacoma) 

JAMES DONALDSON - BIOGRAPHY

Former Owner and Director of The Donaldson Clinic (an outpatient physical therapy clinic)

James completed a 20 year professional basketball career in the spring of 2000. James established The Donaldson Clinic in (January 1990 – 2018) (shortly after a career threatening knee injury) with an idea that he would eventually become a physical therapist. He is a strong advocate for Women & Minority owned businesses and is very involved with various Chambers of Commerce. He understands what it takes to sustain a strong business environment that is conducive to the success of businesses overall.

James is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the N.B.A. with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Utah Jazz. He also played for several in Spain, Italy and Greece of the European Leagues plus toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an N.B.A. All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac – 10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
He now devotes the majority of his time to various community activities, and toward the Gift of Life Foundation, speaking on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, youth groups and is the author of the published “Standing Above the Crowd” of which you can learn more about at www.standingabovethecrowd.com and is available for sale now.
In 2021, James published Celebrating Your Gift of Life: From the Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy. www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

In 2009, James was a candidate for the office of Mayor for the city of Seattle. He had a strong 4th place finish in a crowded field of 8 candidates. It was the first time that James has run for an elected office in the world of politics and he will work closely with several elected officials in regards to politics, youth and educational issues in Seattle.

In 2019, James was a candidate for Seattle City Council- District 7. In 2021, James is a candidate for the office of Mayor of Seattle.

James is a 40 year resident of Seattle. He believes in being a role model of success and professionalism for the scores of young people that he devotes so much of his time to. He currently serves on several Boards and/or committees and is a member of many organizations. (Please see complete listing on back)

James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win – Win” environment for everyone involved, and being the best he can be!

Check Availability

JAMES DONALDSON - MEDIA