Wilbert W. “Wil” James, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky Inc. (TMMK), will deliver the commencement address at North Carolina A&T State University’s fall exercises Saturday, Dec. 14, at Greensboro Coliseum. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m.

James’ career at Toyota spans more than 26 years. He was appointed to his current position in July 2010. Prior to that he was senior vice president for manufacturing and quality at the Indiana facility in Evansville (2008–10). In 2006, he joined TABC Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America Inc. in Long Beach, Calif., as senior vice president of operations and was promoted to president in 2007.

From 1987 to 2006, James was affiliated with TMMK and encompassed many career moves including vice president of manufacturing, general manager of assembly and general manager of production administration. Before joining Toyota, he held positions of production/maintenance/project engineer at Olin Corp.

James received his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering technology and Associate’s degree in applied sciences from Old Dominion University in 1978 and 1976, respectively. 

James serves as Toyota’s representative on the National Society of Corporate Black Engineers' Board of Affiliates. He also is a member of the Kentucky State University Board of Regents, Academic UpRise and Toyota’s diversity champion for TEMA. He currently serves as chair for Lexington’s Arena Task Force working closely with Mayor Jim Gray. 

Past public service roles included the board for the Urban League of Louisville, Ky., the Kentucky Humanities Council, and The Partnership for Youth Organizations. He is an active member of The Executive Leadership Conference and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

James is a native of Norfolk, Va. He and his wife Michaelene reside in Lexington, Ky., which places him close to two of his three daughters and their families.

An estimated quarter billion people in the United States are directly affected by diabetes, while more than 79 million people are at risk for developing the illness. With this in mind, the School of Nursing and Sebastian Health Center at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University seek to bring awareness to the seriousness of this disease through the first on-campus Diabetes Awareness Walk on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 11:15 a.m.

“We want to bring awareness to the fact that diabetes is a serious chronic illness that affects many people,” said Dr. Schenita Randolph, assistant professor in the School of Nursing and interim director of community engagement and clinical translation at the university. “We also want to increase awareness among those who may be at risk for diabetes.”

Not limiting the awareness campaign to the campus, they also hope to reach the underserved population and residents of Greensboro who may not know how to manage their diabetes.

Diabetes is a pressing issue for the greater Greensboro area. In 2008, diabetes ranked seventh in the leading causes of death in North Carolina and as the fourth leading cause of death among African Americans.

The health center and nursing school plan to use the event as a tool to inform and educate walkers on ways they can prevent or manage diabetes. Randolph explained that healthy eating habits and regular exercise are important components for diabetes prevention.

“There is a link between diabetes and obesity; being overweight or obese is a leading factor for type 2 diabetes,” said Randolph.

The Diabetes Awareness Walk is a two-mile trek around the N.C. A&T campus and will begin on the lawn of Noble Hall facing the February One Monument. After the walk, refreshments will be served in Noble Hall and walkers will receive more information on the disease that is plaguing millions across America.