James Lovett

James Lovett was born on July 21, 1950, in Jacksonville, Florida. When he was three years old, he moved with his family to Newport News, Virginia. There, he attended a number of the city’s all-Black schools, such as Huntington High School. As part of “freedom of choice,” he also attended the newly-integrated Newport News High School for one year but ultimately returned to Huntington, from which he graduated in 1968. After graduation, he attended Hampton University, South University, University of Maryland, Savannah State University, Central Texas College, and the former Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC). There, he was particularly active in efforts to promote and make people aware of Black history. He has also been involved with numerous community organizations, such as the NAACP, and is particularly passionate about voting rights.

-Interview and biographical information recorded in 2023.