About Us
{L}earning {I}s {V}iable {E}xcellence {L}ifting {I}gnorance {F}rom {E}veryone (L.I.V.E. L.I.F.E.) the Evolution is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to empowering underprivileged high schoolers in the Southeast who are deprived of educational resources and distracted by the pursuit of their basic life necessities.
This organization was founded by James Gathings, a prominent business and technology leader in the Southeast who went above and beyond to achieve his dreams and support his family. Our founder and board of directors have lived with, dealt with, and overcame different obstacles to get to the point in their lives where they can help and inspire others. We live and lead with three fundamental principles: Honesty, Integrity, and Accountability, which drive our organization’s success.
L.I.V.E. L.I.F.E. the Evolution is an organization where worthy students can succeed in their educational careers without worrying about college debt fees. Our work is inspired by the “Thug Life” of Tupac Shakur. Tupac Shakur was a talented rapper who embraced gang culture due to not having educational opportunities and the lack of stability and structure in his life as a youth. He turned to Rap and Hip-Hop to escape poverty and be a voice for the voiceless, but he was gunned down before he could evolve.
Live Life the Evolution is passionate about advocating for the rights of high school students in divested communities who grow up in environments similar to Tupac’s so that they can avoid a demise identical to that of him and other Rap stars. That is why we encourage our scholars to seek careers in the arts and humanities to develop an intercultural understanding and share their stories to inspire and educate others creatively.
L.L.T. E’ collects funds for scholarships and provides them to parentless youth who are bright and deserving. We seek out scholars who have the zeal to build thriving careers but lack the resources to do so. Moreover, we also help those same students apply for available grants to help further their educational pursuits. Our help and resources allow them to break generational curses and build wealth and resilience in their communities. By 2030, we plan to expand and help parentless children throughout America. Our efforts and resources help students achieve milestones despite their difficult beginnings.
Knowing, James Gathings, our Founder as a Man and Father:
James Gathings’ stories resonate with the poignant theme of family care amid the stark realities of limited opportunities in his home state of Mississippi. He candidly shares the trials he endured while navigating adolescence in a broken home, grappling with the impact of his parent’s divorce just before his first year of high school. The loss of his father during his senior year deepened his struggles, thrusting him into a role of responsibility well before most teenagers become ready.
As he embarked on his collegiate journey at Clayton State University, which was more than 400 miles from home, James faced the profound challenge of fatherhood during his sophomore year. Through his powerful platform on LinkedIn, he amplifies the often-overlooked narratives of young Black men in America, particularly in the South.
His courageous voice illuminates their unique challenges, fostering a deeper understanding of the resilience required to overcome adversity.
How did storytelling help his career?
James’s journey to becoming a prominent business and technology leader in the Southeast started with his compelling personal narrative and a Research Associate opportunity at Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2).
EI2 serves as Georgia Tech’s economic development arm and is recognized as the largest and most comprehensive university-based program in the United States. Its primary focus areas include fostering entrepreneurship and startup development, promoting business and industry growth, enhancing ecosystem development, and facilitating international outreach.
James emerged as a leading expert in community, economic, and workforce development through his significant collaboration with the City of Atlanta’s Mayor’s Office and the Atlanta Beltline.
He also became a prominent figurehead for the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation, an initiative under EI2 aimed at establishing Georgia as the tech capital of the Southeast while ensuring the equitable distribution of economic prosperity throughout the region.
In addition to his impactful work, James brings a wealth of experience in marketing and branding. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Integrative Studies, complemented by a minor in Business, from Clayton State University, recognized as one of the top institutions in the Southeast for upward mobility.
L.I.V.E. L.I.F.E. stands for “learning is viable excellence lifting ignorance from everyone,” and it’s a way of thinking that James had to evolve into. His passion, dedication, and advocacy for helping others who have gone through similar circumstances speak volumes through his actions and commitment to his community.
