Historic Albany Theatre

"Brighten
the corner where you are!"

James Ray Miller was the founder and President/CEO of Oglethorpe Development Group, Inc. He was also the visionary behind the Historic Albany Theatre restoration project, a vital part downtown revitalization in Albany Georgia.

James Miller ws born in Leary Georgia. He was the third child of Joseph "Bill" Miller, Sr. and Ezell Chatman-Miller. From his parents, James inherited a rich legacy if faith, family, leadership and entrepreneurship. In the 1970's he began Albany Delivery Service, the city's first minority owned delivery service that provided ground services for same day delivery of telegrams and packages. In the 1980s, James became employed with Merck Pharmaceutical from which he later retired.

Concern about rising crime rates in Albany Georgia lead James to develop Black on Black Crime Prevention which derived scientific answers to Albany crime problems. As a result, September 10-15, 1984 became Black on Black Crime Prevention Week in Albany. Also in 1984, James addressed Congress regarding funding and research on Domestic Violence-Reagan Administration. From 1985 to 1986 he served on the Georgia Governor's Criminal Justice Coordination Council. In 1986-1987 James co-authored Georgia's first Victim's Compensation Program. Eventually the service was broadened to include Operation Homicide Assault Reduction which significantly reduced crime and saved many lives. His community work provided James the opportunity to sit on the Statewide and National Councils to develop Victims Rights and Compensation.

Recognizing the power of the media, James started Today's Topic Television Production Company. It locally produced and aired television shows within a 50 mile radius of Albany. Along with his colleagues, James produced the first televised Albany State University football game. Today's Topic Production Company provoked citizens to think and ask questions. During his tenure with the company, James became a member of the American Film Institute.

James's love for Albany and history moved him to travel to London England to study the slave trade. As a result, he created a Civil Rights Exhibit. For two years, Adolph Coors Company and Proctor and Gamble sponsored the exhibit on tour. The exhibit became Albany's official Civil Rights Exhibit.

After touring the Civil Rights Exhibit for many years, James opened Miller's Fine Art Gallery. The gallery was Abany's first African-American art gallery. Through his work with the gallery, James influenced the integration of African-American art in public facilities including Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, the Dougherty County Health Department and the City of Albany.

Throughout his life, James' work and pursuits gave him the opportunity to become acquainted with great and prominent people. His acquaintences include the Honorable Andrew Young, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s family members, Fuller Gordy, Stevie Wonder and Sidney Poitier. James used such opportunities to brighten Albany Georgia's corner.

From the one who knew him best:    "James Ray Miller had an unrelenting committment to making a difference. Many people could not understand him and often questioned, 'What makes him think he can do that?' He lived by the Word of God, 'I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.' So, it was not that he thought he was so smart or that he thought that he was worthy of some of the divine assignments he was given. He knew that through Christ, he could and would accomplish anything his heart desired....We are proud to have been in James Miller's presence..."

Willie Louise Dawkins-Miller