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Factsheet

• Grew up in the Scarborough section of Toronto.
• Sent in an audition tape for Selma, and a mere 20 minutes later he was contacted and asked to chat via Skype with director Ava DuVernay and producer Oprah Winfrey. 
• Received a surprise visit from the real John Lewis, whom James portrayed in Selma, when Lewis showed up on the set one day.
• Replaced John Boyega as Jesse Owens in Race after Boyega had to drop out in order to film Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
• Spent his downtime during Selma training with a college track and field coach to prepare for his role as Jesse Owens.
• Was part of the Toronto International Film Festival's Rising Stars program in 2015.
• Named one of Toronto Life magazine's Most Influential Up-and-Comers of 2015.