Bethany James shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Bethany, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
The most important thing to me is integrity—because wisdom is what truly guides intelligence. My energy, my vibe, flows from the kind of person I choose to be. So I ask myself: Who is the woman in the mirror? The reflection the world sees should align with the soul within. To me, authenticity isn’t optional—it’s the essence of my being.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Bethany Camille James is a Digital Engagement & Content Partnerships Strategist, Article Contributor, and Mental Health Advocate. She blends creativity and strategy to craft impactful digital campaigns, articles, and multi-format content that amplify Black women’s voices, wellness, and faith-based storytelling. With a passion for authentic engagement and brand alignment, Bethany helps communities and companies connect through meaningful, story-driven partnerships.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Sometimes scattered side roles or volunteer opportunities feel productive, but they don’t align with my core pillars—digital strategy, writing, and advocacy—they serve as distractions rather than stepping stones. The key is recognizing which opportunities reinforce my long-term vision and which ones simply keep me busy without moving forward.
What may be hindering growth is holding on to every job title as part of ideal ATS resume identity instead of refining my narrative. For example, I am already evolved from service roles into strategy, content, and advocacy, and that’s the brand worth spotlighting. Saying yes to smaller, unrelated opportunities can block space for aligned collaborations, while keeping outdated labels—like “sales rep”—may undersell my leadership as a strategist and content creator. Just this interview alone helps release repetitive patterns of labeling myself without distinction.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I truly believe many friendships are sown in struggle. As strange as that may sound, people often connect most deeply when their pain or challenges mirror each other’s—when they’re walking the same rocky road or navigating the same storm. It’s human nature to flock with the pack, to find comfort in shared hardship, and sometimes even to want others to sink when we’re sinking.
But true suffering has taught me something different: to want better for myself and for others, even if our journeys are not the same. I’ve learned that real love and friendship mean hoping for healing, growth, and light—not just for me, but for everyone, no matter what boat they’re in.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
The mask was real growing up. I was different, deeply artistic, and often hiding behind a practiced smile that never reflected the storm within. For a long time, my outward expression and my inner reality were worlds apart.
Now, things are different. The rise of social media has given me a new outlet to be seen, understood, and to communicate who I truly am. It has heightened not just my desire to connect, but also my courage to show up authentically—without the mask.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope my legacy is remembered as the love I poured into the world through words. For me, writing has never been just about expression—it has always been an act of giving. My words are my love language, the purest way I know how to connect, to heal, and to remind others that they are not alone.
It serves me well to have this gift, this calling, because it allows me to communicate the deepest parts of who I am. Long after conversations fade or moments pass, my writing remains as a reflection of my heart. If people remember me for anything, I pray it is for the love stitched into every line, every poem, every reflection. That is how I want my story to live on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/TheBigGamePoetryCollection
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writethevisionboards
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethany-james-39baa7370?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BKzjQzXXD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Headshot:
JCPenneys Portraits
Makeup:
@faceitbeautymarks or Dan
Hair and attire:
Aquanita H James
