James Nabrit was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He received his associate's degree from Moorehouse College in 1923 and his J.D. from Northwestern University in 1927. He taught at Leeland College in Louisiana from 1925 to 1928 and served as dean of Arkansas State College from 1928 to 1930. In 1936 Nabrit moved to Howard University, where he served as associate professor of law until 1938, when he became Executive Secretary to the University President.

Source:
Who’s Who in Colored America . Ed. Thomas Yenser. 5 th ed. Thomas Yenser: New York, 1940. pg. 387.