Claire James — MARKETING MANAGER
Claire James
Claire joined the team in October 2026 and is our Marketing Manager.
What I do for city Leadership
As the Marketing Manager at City Leadership, I help tell the story of what’s happening across the 901 and connect more Memphians to the people, organizations, and opportunities that make our city amazing.
Supporting campaigns across Choose901, Teach901, Serve901, Give901, and Choose901 Alumni, I work to make sure the right stories reach the right people at the right time.
At the heart of it, I’m passionate about using marketing to help people discover more of what Memphis has to offer, and to remind the people who already call the 901 home why this city is worth investing in.
CONNECT WITH ME
How I got to Memphis…
I grew up just outside the city limits in Tipton County, but Memphis was always the place we went for fun, music, food, and new experiences. As a kid, I was fascinated by the energy of the city and always had a feeling that I wanted to be closer to the action.
After graduating high school in 2015, I spent a year in Nashville for college, thinking maybe I needed to leave home to find my people. It didn’t take long to realize that the community I was looking for had been in Memphis all along. I moved back, found a little apartment in Midtown with some friends, and finished my Music Business degree at the University of Memphis. Along the way, I found some of my closest friends and, more importantly, a real sense of belonging.
It wasn’t until I became a permanent resident that I truly realized how special Memphis is. There’s something unique about a city that can make you feel connected to your neighbors like you’re living in a small town, while still giving you the culture, creativity, music, and experiences of a city.
During my senior year of college, I started working at Soulsville Foundation, where I ended up spending the next seven years. That experience changed my relationship with Memphis from simply being the place I lived to becoming a place I felt responsible for. My work allowed me to champion Memphis students, support the next generation of young musicians, and help preserve the city's incredible musical legacy.
Now, I get to continue that same spirit of stewardship at City Leadership, using my work to help tell Memphis' story, connect people to the opportunities and organizations shaping our city, and encourage more people to find their own reason to invest in the 901.
I came to Memphis because I thought it was where I needed to be. I stayed because it became home.
Why I Choose901
I choose Memphis because this city has always felt like home. I choose it for the people who have become family, the friends who have grown alongside me, the music that runs through everything, and the sense of community that makes the city so magical. I Choose901 because Memphis chose me a long time ago.
MEET CLAIRE
Claire and Milo
Claire and her cat, Milo
In my free time, you’ll usually find me snuggling with my fur babies, including my sweet 10-year-old orange boy, Milo, who has been by my side since 2016. I love gardening, cooking, playing piano, singing, DIY projects, and picking up a new hobby to hyperfixate on for a few weeks. Paint-by-numbers and puzzles are two that I reliably come back to. These days, my biggest side project is planning my 2027 wedding with my fiancé!