Dr. Amina Gilyard James is a hotelier, organization development strategist, and managing partner of Duke Ventures LLC. Most recently, Amina and her husband purchased a Quality Inn in Memphis, TN. In 2020 and 2021 they also became investors in two Hilton-branded hotel properties. Their hotel ownership journey has been featured in several digital publications' and local news reports including Black Enterprise, Yahoo! Finance, Afrotech, Hotel Business, Hertelier, and Fox 13 News.

In 2019, Dr. Amina published her first book—Power 31: A working guide to goal setting and progressing with purpose. Notably, Amina has been recognized by the Leadership Center for Excellence as a 40 under 40 honoree (Arlington, VA) and served as Miss Black District of Columbia USA from 2011-2012. Dr. Amina is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Dr. Amina earned a doctorate in Human & Organizational Learning from the George Washington University. She also earned a Master of Education degree in Health Education from the Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in BioBehavioral Health from the Pennsylvania State University. Additionally, Dr. Amina is a Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths Coach and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). She has also worked as an adjunct professor in Organizational Leadership & Learning at the George Washington University.