Brother James H. Battle, Jr. was born in Sanford, North Carolina and is a graduate of W.B. Wicker High School in Sanford, North Carolina. After high school he attended Barber-Scotia College in Concord, North Carolina where he earned a BS Degree in Business Education, and he also earned a Masters Degree in Education and an Educational Specialist Degree from Old Dominion University.
In the spring of 1970 while attending Barber-Scotia College, Bro Battle pledged Sigma Epsilon (Stormy) Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, where he served in chapter leadership roles ranging from Keeper of Finance to Basileus. After graduation with a degree in Business Education he was drafted in the US Army and served two years as a Military Police. After leaving the military, he worked for General Motors and completed graduate studies and Reserve Officer Training at North Carolina State University. In 1977 he was commissioned and served 22 years, retiring as a MAJOR in the U.S Adjutant General Corps. Throughout his military career, Bro Battle has been an active member of the fraternity. He was a member of Sigma Epsilon, Beta Phi, Iota Iota, Alpha Alpha, Kappa Iota Iota, Psi Delta, Lambda Xi chapters of Omega Psi Phi and current member of Kappa Iota Iota.
Upon retiring from the military, Bro Battle became an educator and has rose thru the ranks to Assistant Principal. His compassion to serve Omega causes has always been mentoring and developing the young males of the community. A visionary, Bro Battle’s assessment of the children environment indicated a lack of attention to these struggling children. Their surroundings were infested with gang activity, high crime rate, discipline problems and students performance indicated academics were not being achieved. In 2001, he decided to establish a group called Young Men of Distinction, a program designed to enhance good citizenship, improve academics, and establish good values for fifth grade boys. His first program started at Dozier Middle School in Newport News; he was subsequently transferred and promoted and again started a Young Men of Distinction at South Morrison Elementary. His positive actions and support from the Brothers of Kappa Iota Iota produced positive results; discipline referrals dropped from 75% to less than 20%, academic achievement improved dramatically. In two years performance standards for these kids improved and vaulted the school to one of the best elementary schools in the Newport News Public School System. Brother Battle’s accomplishments were published in the book (Sustaining Learning Communities) and served as a sterling example of “Giving Back” to the community.
Always seeking a challenge, he left Newport News Public School System and became part of the Southampton County Public School System. As the Assistant Principal at Riverdale Elementary School in Courtland Virginia, he started the Young Men of Distinction and Ladies of Excellence with a combine total of 86 students. His expectations and standard are high and he continues to be a driving force in the community for the good and highlights what “Omega Men” strive to represent and give back. Brother Battle is married to the former Ms. Deborah Epps and they have a son, James H. Battle III.