“That’s what I want you to do,” is how James Rodney describes the moment his life’s mission became clear that 2:00am morning riding down alone in the office elevator. Having generated 73% of sales within his branch, this seasoned technology executive and only African American among six salespersons was the top producer. Although the company was in business two decades prior to his hiring four years earlier, its single largest sale was $500,000. Remarkably, in his first year the author closed a $10 million sale: followed by $15 million and $6 million, rapidly growing his territory to nearly $40 million in 5 years. In contrast, the other salespersons sold less than $8 million combined. Yet despite being the most experienced and accomplished, he had the lowest base salary. In one particular year even after achieving 417% of quota, he continued not to receive a raise, while the other salespeople—including those who failed to make quota—did receive raises. Epiphany—“…a situation in which an enlightening realization allows a problem or situation to be understood from a new and deeper perspective,” Wikipedia. The author, who eventually filed an employment discrimination lawsuit recalls, “I was in the elevator thinking it’s sad most people in these circumstances lose because they just don’t know how to document their experiences or timely file a complaint. Before those words could settle within the confined ether of the elevator, I heard myself say you can do that; you can teach them. You can teach them became that’s what I want you to do, and a purposefulness consumed me in a way that can only be described as a spiritual epiphany. I knew at that very moment I had been called to become an Employee Rights Advocate!” In the process of researching case law to support his claims, the author stumbled upon case after case of modern overt racial hostilities so sickening he felt compelled to unmask ways he believes Corporations and our Federal Judiciary are facilitating racial harassment. Thus, the inspiration for Corporate America & The N-Word.

Leading into 2026, James Rodney transitioned out of technology sales completely, to be a full-time writer and advocate. He is a 2005 graduate of American University, with a bachelor’s in liberal arts who studied extensively in the School of Public Affairs’ Department of Justice Law & Society and holds an Advanced Certificate in Employment Law from the Institute of Applied management & Law. The Chicago native is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.