Dante J. James has over 25 years of political, non-profit, and legal work in the areas of social justice, civil rights, and government contracting. The father of two, he resided in Denver, Colorado for the last 28 years before coming to Portland to head the Office of Equity and Human Rights. He is a member of our UO President’s Diversity Advisory Community Council.
A graduate of the University of Denver College of Law, he has been an attorney in private practice, a public defender, and an administrative hearing officer. He was on the Advance Staff for the Clinton Administration during the 80's and traveled nationally and internationally.
He was appointed by Denver Mayor Wellington Webb as Executive Director of Denver's Affirmative Action Office, overseeing its Minority/Women Business Enterprise program. He was also responsible for the Federal Disadvantaged Enterprise Program at Denver International Airport.
He hopes to continue the work of improving the educational, economic, and workforce opportunities for those who have been historically underrepresented, and to create equal opportunities for all Portlanders.