(Editor’s note: The following is the first in a series of articles recognizing local leaders in conjunction with Black History Month.)
A quick scan of Kyle L. Jones’ office in Town Hall reveals he is a clean-cut family man with a thirst for knowledge of African American history.
Portraits of his wife, LaQuita, and Zuri, their 2-year-old daughter, hang on his wall and desk. On a nearby table, a small collection of books about history makers like Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Barack Obama are ready for his reading. Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” sits on the table, along with a book about the impact hip hop music has had on American culture.
An Arkadelphia native, 26-year-old Jones is the city’s director of grants and research, as well as assistant to City Manager Jimmy Bolt. He recently acquired the position with the city after a résumé that includes a graduate degree of higher education in political science; being employed by U.S. Bank and Ouachita Baptist University; being associate minister at Greater Hill Pleasant Baptist Church where Dr. Lewis Shepherd is pastor; and being a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
His duties for the city include researching “anything and everything” that could affect any legislation proposed to or passed by the City Board of Directors.
While attending Henderson, he was a minority among statistics — among the African American males who enter the four-year university, only 29 percent of them graduate. Jones graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science, then attended graduate school the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Though there have been “enormous advancements” made, it is imperative that black people equip themselves with an education, he says, in order to change the status of African American culture. To be successful at fixing cultural stereotypes or negative statistics is to have leaders in “everyday sectors of life” — such as education, business and politics — rather than having success only in the athletic and entertainment industries.
“Education will determine that success,” Jones said. “You can’t just throw money at a problem to fix it. People have to be in positions to trickle down” the success rate to all walks of life.
For Jones, Black History Month is a celebration of “immense accomplishments of generations past and present. Each new step is black history. It is imperative that we discuss and celebrate black history. We are standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Had it not been for the accomplishments of King and other historical civil rights activists, success would have been much harder to come by for African Americans, he said.
“I wouldn’t even have been in this position 60 years ago,” Jones said from his desk in the City Administration suite of Town Hall. “Realizing the struggle and sacrifice of so many others is why I’m here, and all of us. Those things were not just done for my benefit, but for everybody’s benefit. For humankind’s benefit.”
Though Malcolm X was his main inspiration as a teenager, Jones said that, as he has matured, he is more in tune with the writings of King.
“It’s cliché because you always hear about those two, but there are tons of people whose names are never recognized,” he said.
Jones said he looks up to those vastly unknown figures as well: James Baldwin, Bobby Seale, Cornel West. He has also found guidance and knowledge in Taylor Branch’s series, “America in the King Years.”
Though there are still challenges blacks face, Jones said he does not praise those who dwell on the negatives while ignoring the positives.
“Acknowledge both,” he said. “We can’t drag the past around, but we can use it as motivation for all of us to make a better future. There is no boogie man holding us back from our dreams. This is America. We’re in the greatest country in the world and have the greatest opportunities.” Though each race has its own “stumbling blocks,” Jones said people “have the ability to be whatever your hard work and discipline will allow you to be. The harder you work, the farther you’ll go.”
Mentors are important, as well, Jones said.
“Sometimes we try to go it alone, but it is really important to find mentors — people open and willing to teach you some things. Find somebody who is where you want to be. Take time to get to know them and learn from them.”
Jones’ original childhood mentor is his grandfather, Luther Jones, from whom he “learned a lot” about life and growing up. Other major mentors in his life include his parents, Michael and Janie, and his pastor.
“I try to take the best from people who have taken the time to teach me.”
Faith is also a key factor in moving forward.
“It is important for African Americans that we’ve come this far by faith and have always been a people of faith. It is important to make it the center-most part of our lives, for everyone, no matter your race.”
Jones is a graduate of the inaugural Leadership Clark County class, serves as a board member for the Clark County Community Foundation and is co-chair of the Leadership Subcommittee of the Clark County Strategic Plan.
As for letting faith and hard work guide him in his life, he added: “That’s what put me in the seat I’m in.”
