JaCoi James Pugh is a trailblazing entrepreneur, visionary leader, and passionate advocate for empowering women. Hailing from South Dallas, Texas, JaCoi’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to elevating others.

Her professional career began at the Internal Revenue Service, where she rose from Customer Service Representative to Revenue Officer, sharpening her expertise in compliance and strategic problem-solving. Transitioning to the software industry, JaCoi excelled as a Business Analyst in Phoenix, Arizona, before joining Kronos Incorporated in St. Louis, Missouri, where she advanced from Implementation Manager to Learning and Development Manager. She also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

In 2018, JaCoi founded J&K Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in helping small businesses grow and thrive. Her commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs led her to co-found Black Women’s Wall Street, Inc., providing critical resources for Black women in business.

JaCoi’s passion for storytelling and elevating women’s voices inspired her to create Ascension Magazine, a platform celebrating high-performing, multihyphenated women who are breaking barriers in corporate, entrepreneurial, and creative spaces. Through Ascension, she continues her mission to empower women, elevate mindsets, and foster a sense of community among trailblazers.

Beyond her professional achievements, JaCoi is a proud wife and mother to two children—a teenage daughter and a toddler—along with two beloved dogs, Max and Duke. She is a lover of great food, cherishing moments spent creating memories with loved ones, and is unapologetically committed to disrupting the norm in business. A published author of The Single Mother’s Path to Wealth and a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, JaCoi’s influence extends across industries and communities, making her a true architect of success.