Vision and Partnership
Ashton opened the St. James in 2019 to fill “gaps in the market” where sports, entertainment, education and community spaces merge into one premium experience. His background in sports, finance and law led to the next career move of building a business that can bring people together for fitness, wellness, education and entertainment.
“Many counties, including Fairfax County, do a really good job of providing facilities and resources, but in the face of that, there still exists a really large gap between what families want and need and what counties and cities and states around the country are capable of delivering,” Ashton said.
His goals extend beyond operating the St. James and into positioning Fairfax County as a national hub for sports tourism and elite sports-focused education. Ashton sees local government as a key partner in expanding that reach, pointing to sponsorship support and coordinated use of county facilities as ways to attract even more national events.
Education, Sports and Legacy
At the heart of Ashton’s idea is the student athlete and the transformative power of education. His foundation in receiving a quality education while playing sports underpins The St. James Academy, which is expanding its academic and athletic offerings to support student athletes across nearly 20 sports.
“There are fewer things that are more vital to communities than their schools,” he said, reflecting on the world-class education he received while playing team sports in Washington D.C. schools, at the College of William and Mary and the University of Chicago. “Communities need great schools. States need great universities."
A sixth-generation Washingtonian, Ashton grew up in Washington, D.C. in the 1980s, shaped by proximity to Black leaders in public life. As a student, he rode the school bus past the Supreme Court every day.
“I got to look out the bus and look at the Supreme Court, and Thurgood Marshall was actually sitting in the building,” he said. Surrounded by leaders like Marion Barry, Eleanor Holmes Norton and Vernon Jordan, Ashton said, “You had to put your head in the sand to not know that those people were there and that their example was available for you.”
During Black History Month, Ashton is mindful that leadership is as much about example as accomplishment. Acknowledging the barriers faced by earlier generations, he hopes visibility can open doors. Today, as a local leader and thought partner, he hopes “the things that I’ve done are sufficiently visible to young people any and everywhere, that they can be inspired to know that whatever they put their minds to, they can achieve it.”
Connect With County Leaders Podcast
The “Connect with County Leaders” podcast is an opportunity to meet and connect with Fairfax County leaders, to learn about the latest county news and information, and hear more on specific programs and services in Fairfax County. For the month of February, the podcast is focused each week on a different leader whose story honors Black History Month.
Listen or watch past episodes of “Connect with County Leaders” on SoundCloud, on YouTube and on Channel 16’s podcast on demand page. Listen to other Fairfax County podcasts or additional audio content at Fairfax County Government Radio.
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