About ME
James R. Welch jr.
James Welch is the President of NOBM in New Orleans, LA. James’ passion is to help people experience human flourishing.
He grew up in Missouri on the banks of the Mississippi River in the town of Hayti, MO. He was raised in an entrepreneurial household where his Dad owned many businesses, including movie rental stores. Growing up in retail and the public square,
he developed a passion for leadership and communication.
During his young adult life he was drawn to cities. He longed to see compassionate conviction develop in the hearts of urban dwellers. Over the past two decades he has used his strived to inspire courageous voices for city care.
He founded Convergence Center for the Arts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and Harbor Community Collective. He has written op-ed pieces for various publications, been featured in Outreach Magazine, and lead spiritual communities. He is a faithful LSU and New Orleans Saints fan. He enjoys jogging, photography, drawing, writing, fishing, and spending time with family and friends.
He studied business and theology at Campbellsville University, where he earned a B.S. in Organizational Management and
a Master of Theology. James married his high school sweetheart, Amy.
They have young adult children and live in the Mid-City neighborhood of New Orleans.
New Orleans, LA
When I think of the New Orleans, I acknowledge the imperfections—but creativity and color dance in the streets intermingled.
I think of the subtle crescent winds among ancient oaks bursting forth with green leaves, golden rays peering through their gnarled branches, azaleas erupting in harmonious splendor. Architecture caresses the eye with a pantone of delight, sunrises are an inhale of the spectacle and sunsets look as delicious as they do enchanting.
While the city is raw, it is a kaleidoscope of design and energy. Colorful street art, Mardi Gras Indians, 2nd Line Steppers, Snoballs, sweet fruit, crabs once vibrant blue transform into bright red at the touch of boiling water.
Those that call New Orleans home live in a whimsical land of wonder. There is nowhere like New Orleans.
Coaching Thought Leaders and Creatives
Our present technological world offers extraordinary opportunities. It furthers limitless possibilities for information and connection. However, it can be a path to toxic reactions. Fear, worry, guilt, shame, anxiety, and insecurity can take root from the constant call of more. We can find oursleves pushing, rushing, consuming, and overthinking. We are assaulted with never ending content and stimulation. It leads us to be fixated on the external.
I hope to see people learn to generate creative thoughts internally and refine them collaboratively.
I walk with individuals and cohorts to maximize innovation and implementation of ideas.