In 2019, James Severe’s life was a careful balancing act. Between two jobs, college football, and ambitions in sports and entertainment, he was chasing a future full of promise. That future nearly slipped away after a traffic stop exposed a system error: his parole officer had retired without notice, leaving his automated check-ins untracked. The result was a technical parole violation, five months behind bars, lost income, and a semester of school—despite no new offenses.
James turned that setback into a comeback. Through the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports, and Entertainment, he earned his degree in Sports Management, completed parole, and secured a full-time position in Roc Nation’s TV & Film division. This spring, he walked across the graduation stage, embodying the power of resilience and second chances in a journey defined by perseverance and determination.
In an interview with The Source, Severe details how Roc Nation School helped him get back on track and more.
Looking back at the moment when a technical parole violation sent you back to jail, how did you process the frustration of losing so much over something beyond your control?
Looking back at that moment, I never really got the chance to process anything. I didn’t have the time to — at least that’s what I forced myself to believe. At that point, I was part of the system. There was no space for frustration; you just learn how to deal with everything as it comes. Any time spent being frustrated would’ve been wasted time. I was always focused on my next move.
When you started at the Roc Nation School, what mindset or personal commitment did you bring with you to make sure this second chance truly counted?
When I started at the Roc Nation School, my mindset was to take every single opportunity that came my way. My personal commitment to myself was simple: closed mouths don’t get fed. I reminded myself of that almost every day I walked into class. School was all I had. It was the one thing I felt I had a little control over when it came to shaping my future. If I showed up, I was going to show out. And that’s exactly what I did.
You’ve gone from student to graduate to working full-time at Roc Nation. What has that transition taught you about resilience and the value of support systems?
This transition taught me that if you have a plan, stick to it — and things can really be that simple. The support systems I gained throughout this process got stronger as I got closer to my goals. Without them, I wouldn’t be here speaking with you today. We all need help, but a lot of times we don’t know how to ask for it. I got to a point where I understood I was going to need all the help I could get. I’m glad I embraced that because it shaped me into a better person today.
Many people never get the opportunity to recover after a setback like yours. What message do you hope your journey sends to others facing barriers after incarceration?
Ah man, most people don’t recover — or even believe they can. I’m very grateful. I hope my journey shows people that you really can do whatever you want with your life. There are no limitations. Dream big and truly believe in yourself. That’s the first step. We all make mistakes, but it’s the get back that matters most. It’s never going to be easy, and it’s only going to get harder, but we can do it. You can do it. I’m living proof.
Now that you’ve walked across the stage and stepped into your professional career, what’s next for you, and how do you hope to continue shaping the sports and entertainment world?
Forward progress — that’s what’s next for me. I want to keep moving forward and continue showing Roc Nation and my team how valuable I am. I hope to work on cool, meaningful projects with great people and help shape the entertainment world with what I bring to the table. I’m here to be innovative, to contribute, and to help wherever I can. I walk into work every day genuinely happy and proud of myself. I made my dream a reality, and I don’t see this ride stopping anytime soon.