PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (April 19, 2021) – James Mable Jr., Ph.D., a three-time graduate of Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) with a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. earned on “The Hill,” remembers his educational experience at his alma mater like this:
“Prairie View Produces Productive People…that’s it. Nothing more, and nothing less,” he said.
And it’s true for Mable. In addition to a special role as a youth pastor at Antioch Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas, he’s had a successful career in the arts industry as a gospel artist, where he inked a deal in 2019 with legendary music industry promoter and manager Greg “Uncle G” Lyons and Uncle G Records. Since that time, Mable has become a Billboard-charting, Dove/Grammy-considered recording artist.
“I recently released a song entitled Heal Our Land,” Mable said. “This is a universal, multicultural, crossover call for us to unite in the midst of all of the political, social, racial, and economic unrest that is currently happening in our country and world.”
Mable’s journey has also included serving in a myriad of professional positions that range from public school to higher education academia.
But now, he can add Broadway Star to his roster.
The PVAMU alumnus was cast as Tiny Jo Dixon in the Broadway production of Dreamgirls this year. The first four shows premiered virtually on Clubhouse earlier this spring, with hopes to eventually move the production to New York City. Either way, he is simply “grateful to be in the history books alongside all of the former cast members who have been a part of Dreamgirls since 1981,” he said.
“Being a creative in the arts industry as mainly a Gospel artist, I NEVER saw it coming,” Mable said. “When I got the call back, I was in shock for a minute, and then the tears came. It’s like, wow, this is an opportunity of a lifetime! I literally took a risk, and it somehow paid off.”
His journey has not been without obstacles, but his family and his PVAMU family have stood by him through it all. His doctorate almost cost him his life several years ago. A horrible car accident on the way home from campus resulted in a year-and-a-half-long leg of his journey marked by struggle and determination to finish his degree while paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. Amid studying and classes, he dealt with permanent screws in his foot and the daunting task of learning to walk all over again.
Nevertheless, Mable survived it all by walking across the stage as the second youngest Ph.D. at that time in the university’s history.
A Navasota, Texas native, Mable has deep roots in Texas with a strong foundation of family and faith. Following his doctorate in 2014, he became a youth pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Beaumont in 2015. Under the leadership of John R. Adolph, he says, “his life has catapulted into a new dimension.”
“Dr. John Adolph is one extraordinary man! By him giving me the blessing to not only serve on the home front at Antioch but travel the globe using my gifts has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams!” Mable said. I am and will forever be eternally grateful for him! He sees the big picture for my life and values that. Dr. John Adolph will forever hold a special place in my heart!”
While the Gospel music industry is his base, Mable knows that his gift goes beyond the four walls of the church. Where it was nurtured from dream to reality, he credits PVAMU.
“PVAMU, particularly my home bases of the Hobart Taylor Building and the Music Department for my bachelor’s and the Delco Building and [Whitlowe R. Green] College of Education for my master’s and Ph.D., has played huge dividends into the person that I am today,” Mable said. “’The Hill’ prepared me for life, along with the community, culture, and expectation of excellence that Pantherland exudes. If you have matriculated through the sacred grounds of our great institution, you know it to be true.”
By Meredith Mohr
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