James "Jimmy" L. Stroud, Jr. Mayor of Minneapolis

“Renaissance Man”
Known for his ability to reinvent himself via choice and/or circumstances, while employing his gifts from God, Stroud has earned the affectionate title of “Renaissance Man” from family, friends and colleagues.

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Business and Professional Skills**
As a business professional, Stroud has a successful history of career counseling, consulting, event planning, project management, sales, marketing, public relations, public speaking, media relations, fund raising, teaching, investigations, research, writing, residential/commercial lending and entertainment production.

From D.C. to Minnesota
Originally from Washington, DC, where he was born and raised the middle child of 7, Stroud came to Minnesota in the late-eighties as a business broker and fundraiser during the day and a stand up Comedian/Impressionist/ Actor and Playwright

Current Career Focus
Currently, Stroud is working as a benefits specialist/ agent for Aflac insurance licensed in Minnesota, Iowa,Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia. As a freelancer Stroud is busy taking photos and writing articles for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder newspaper and various publications.

Freelance Writer

Over the last 20 years, Stroud has been a freelance writer for various publications, doing featured articles, celebrity interviews, book reviews, and investigative reports.

Inaugural Reporter
Stroud was recently honored when asked for a second time to cover the inaugural ceremony of President Barack Obama as a writer/photographer.

On Stage
While performing on stage, Stroud has worked with comedians Martin Lawrence, Sinbad, Robert Townsend and has opened for musical acts such as, Alexander O’Neal, The Sounds of Blackness, The Time, Mint Condition and the Dells, just to name a few. Stroud has toured the country with his 7-character one-man show “How Ya Like Me Now?” A comedy, drama and social commentary addressing diverse culture issues that was first featured at the world famous Guthrie Theater in Minnesota during the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend in the mid-nineties.

Community Service

Stroud is very active in the community; he currently volunteers as an investigator for the Legal Rights Center of Minnesota, which is a 40 year old pro bono law firm for the poor. In 1997-98, Stroud was the Co-Chair of Housing for the Minneapolis NAACP and a frequent lec