What was your first job, and what did it teach you about yourself?

My first job was as a math tutor in high school. I learned about my love of applying my knowledge to help others.

Pronouns: he/him/his

James Sadler, who believes in direct action against inequitable systems, is the Director of Research. He plays a key role in managing and facilitating research and data analytics across the organization’s many initiatives.

James started at Baltimore’s Promise in September 2020 and has worked to help the organization better understand the landscape of youth opportunities in the City. James is the primary author of the Opportunities Landscape 2021 and 2023 reports and is currently co-leading the growth of the Baltimore City Youth Data Hub. He has also been deeply involved with the Grads2Careers, Youth Grantmakers, and Summer Funding Collaborative initiatives.

James holds a Ph.D. in Education Policy and wrote his dissertation on restorative justice practices. He also holds a master’s degree in Secondary Education and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, both from the University of Pennsylvania. Before starting his doctoral studies, James was a high school physics and math teacher in Philadelphia.

James is Colombian and English and has lived most of his life in locations across the United States. He’s an avid soccer fan and enjoys making people laugh. He loves taking walks in Patterson Park and Highlandtown, where he lives with his wife, his daughter, and perpetually hungry cat.