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Author: standingabovethecrowd

James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association. James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups. In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community. He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations. James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be! For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at: www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com 1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax) James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and "Celebrating Your Gift of Life" and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men. If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
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James Donaldson on Mental Health – Questions to Ask a Doctor Prescribing Medication to Your Child
4 min read 0
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James Donaldson on Mental Health – Questions to Ask a Doctor Prescribing Medication to Your Child

  • standingabovethecrowd
  • September 3, 2026
James Donaldson on Mental Health – Why Do Black Children With Autism Get Diagnosed Late?
13 min read 0
  • Education
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  • Your Gift Of Life Foundation

James Donaldson on Mental Health – Why Do Black Children With Autism Get Diagnosed Late?

  • standingabovethecrowd
  • September 2, 2026
James Donaldson on Mental Health – Loneliness, suicide and the crisis facing young men
5 min read 0
  • Education
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  • Your Gift Of Life Foundation

James Donaldson on Mental Health – Loneliness, suicide and the crisis facing young men

  • standingabovethecrowd
  • September 1, 2026

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order addressing the mental health crisis among young men and […]

James Donaldson on Mental Health – Misdiagnosis of Mood Disorders in Black Teenagers
12 min read 0
  • Education
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  • Your Gift Of Life Foundation

James Donaldson on Mental Health – Misdiagnosis of Mood Disorders in Black Teenagers

  • standingabovethecrowd
  • August 31, 2026
James Donaldson on Mental Health – Depression Test for Teens
7 min read 0
  • Education
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  • Your Gift Of Life Foundation

James Donaldson on Mental Health – Depression Test for Teens

  • standingabovethecrowd
  • August 30, 2026
James Donaldson on Mental Health – 988 suicide hotline is getting more calls than ever. Many states have no clear plan to fund it
8 min read 0
  • Education
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  • Your Gift Of Life Foundation

James Donaldson on Mental Health – 988 suicide hotline is getting more calls than ever. Many states have no clear plan to fund it

  • standingabovethecrowd
  • August 29, 2026

By Michael Marks, Harvest Public Media Editor’s note: If you or someone you know may […]

James Donaldson on Mental Health – What to Do if You Think Your Teenager Is Depressed
12 min read 0
  • Education
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  • Your Gift Of Life Foundation

James Donaldson on Mental Health – What to Do if You Think Your Teenager Is Depressed

  • standingabovethecrowd
  • August 28, 2026
James Donaldson on Mental Health – Millions of People Are Turning to ChatGPT With Suicidal Thoughts
8 min read 0
  • Education
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  • Your Gift Of Life Foundation

James Donaldson on Mental Health – Millions of People Are Turning to ChatGPT With Suicidal Thoughts

  • standingabovethecrowd
  • August 28, 2026
James Donaldson on Mental Health – Black Parents and the Importance of Cultural Competence in Therapy
12 min read 0
  • Education
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  • History
  • International
  • Mental Health
  • Personal
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  • Success
  • Suicide
  • Your Gift Of Life Foundation

James Donaldson on Mental Health – Black Parents and the Importance of Cultural Competence in Therapy

  • standingabovethecrowd
  • August 26, 2026
James Donaldson on Mental Health – I didn’t see my friend’s suicide coming – and as a nation, we’re blind to mental health
6 min read 0
  • Education
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  • History
  • International
  • Mental Health
  • Personal
  • Political
  • Race Issues
  • Social Issues
  • Success
  • Suicide
  • Your Gift Of Life Foundation

James Donaldson on Mental Health – I didn’t see my friend’s suicide coming – and as a nation, we’re blind to mental health

  • standingabovethecrowd
  • August 25, 2026

One of the first funerals I attended that wasn’t a relative was that of an […]

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