James is founder and executive director for the Estrojam [now Decibelle] Music and Culture Festival. Estrojam is an annual 501(c)3 not-for-profit, community-based event that features internationally acclaimed and emerging female musicians and artists, educators, activists, and community leaders. Each year it has dozens of events, including concerts, workshops, panels, and a film festival, all presented at Chicago's best venues.

Estrojam/Decibelle is organized by women and open to all. Each year, it partners with, presents, and benefits powerful women and women's nonprofit organizations for the arts, education, health, social change, human rights, and non-violence.