James Coleman is a lifelong resident of South San Francisco, attending Ponderosa Elementary, Alta Loma Middle School, and South San Francisco High School. After graduating, James went on to Harvard University where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology with a minor in Government. James has interned at Bayer Berkeley and worked at a neuroscience lab at Massachusetts General Hospital. He has also been an organizer involved with the Alliance for Climate Education, the Harvard Undergraduates for Environmental Justice, and Fossil Fuel Divest Harvard.

James was elected in 2020, becoming the city’s youngest and first openly LGBTQ+ member of the City Council. He is passionate about improving early childhood education, addressing climate change, and making South City a safe, affordable, and enjoyable place to live.