A graduate of Jefferson Parish Schools, Pastor Dr. Donald R. Jones is an African-American trailblazer in Jefferson Parish and known throughout the community as a leader and advocate. Dr. Jones was honored as the first African-American appointed to the Jefferson Parish School Board and was also elected as the first African American to the Jefferson Parish Council.
Reverend Dr. Donald R. Jones paved the Way for African-American leadership in Jefferson Parish
During his tenure on the school board, Dr. Jones was committed to ensuring that all students receive a quality education, regardless of race, religion, gender, disability and economic status. He sponsored legislation allocating funding for schools that he identified had suffered from benign neglect and used his position to ensure equitable hiring and promotion practices of school personnel. Additionally, Dr. Jones was the original author of the Pass and Play Bill, which required students to have a 2.0 Grade Point Average to participate in extracurricular activities.
As the first African-American on Jefferson Parish Council, Dr. Jones provided bold and innovative leadership as he addressed the diverse needs of his constituents and the needs of the Parish at large. He effectively worked to create a political environment that allowed his constituents to receive a fair share of the goods and services available in Jefferson Parish.
Dr. Jones is the Chief Executive Officer of Jones Insurance Agency and CEO/President of STEP Construction. Throughout his work, Dr. Jones has used his position to act as a mouthpiece for the African-American community. In 2012, he founded the digital radio station “New Orleans Talk” as an alternative news source and has also served as a co-host and frequent guest on the local radio station WBOK.
Dr. Jones has been honored as the Martin L. King Jr. Task Force Man of the Decade (2000), a Peace of the Past Foundation Torch Bearer (1999) and a Martin L. King Jr. Task Force Outstanding Leader (1994 and 1995).
A life-long resident of Jefferson Parish, Dr. Jones attended Live Oak Elementary School, Henry Ford Middle School and West Jefferson High School. Following high school, he received a political science degree from Xavier University before pursuing a Masters in Theology.
