D’Marius Jones, is a multifaceted individual who has various passions in a multitude of fields including mass media, education, and social justice. Jones grew up in Jackson, Mississippi. A community whose reputation can unfortunately be overlooked due to socioeconomic oppressions which are common to the area. Nevertheless, Jones credits a great deal of his success to his hometown. The eldest of three siblings, he has always felt a great deal of responsibility. As a young boy, he always possessed a desire to provide for his family and those amongst him, however, lack of resources and structured guidance led him to actions unbecoming of him now.
Jones has since overcome a multitude of trials and tribulations which included gun violence and incarceration as a juvenile. Following his release in early 2018, he recentered himself through faith and education. Graduating from Callaway High School with honors of being named Mr. English, and several other academic accolades, Jones would follow up his impressive Senior year by enrolling in Holmes Community College (HCC). A decision inspired by his mother, Anita. His love for people, interest in advertisement and curiosity of how media influence conjures the world around him, he knew immediately that his major would be Mass Communications.
He graduated from HCC in 2020, during an unexpected and tumultuous year from the effects of COVID-19. Due to this unforeseen year, Jones took some time to pivot and ponder on his next move. With news of his first child, D’Mari Jones, on the way, he found himself again seeking higher education so that he could best provide for his family. He decided he would take a leap of faith and go to rural Mississippi, to Alcorn State University in the Fall of 2021. During his tenure at Alcorn, Jones accomplished many accolades such as being named Mr. Mass Communications (22-23), inducted into Lambda Phi Eta, the official honor society of the National Communication Association, 2-time President List scholar, 3-time Dean List scholar, and 2023 White House HBCU News Briefing speaker.
Jones currently works as an 6th grade English Language Arts teacher at Blackburn Middle School, where his love for writing, storytelling, and empowering the youth continues. He is a full-time graduate student taking up clinical mental health counseling, at Jackson State University and owns an emerging media productions company named TCB Productions LLC.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ALCORN?
I chose Alcorn for serval reasons. The first being my mother’s association with the school. She attended Alcorn as a non-traditional nursing student when I was a teenage boy. Her love, dedication and passion for the school inspired me. Attending games, proudly wearing purple and gold as a young teen on Saturdays gave me a sense of community and a home away from home. The second reason was my yearning for an escape in the environment that I grew up in. I desperately needed and wanted a change of scenery. Alcorn provided that space for me. The university was just far enough from home that I could become my own man but considerably close enough in proximity that I could still see my family without strain.
WHAT ORGANIZATIONS WERE YOU A PART OF?
While attending Alcorn I was heavily involved in organizations and programs embedded in my major. I was an avid journalist for our department’s online newspaper, The Campus Chronicle. While at school, my love for photography and videography grew rapidly. Recording events, reporting stories and conducting interviews for Alcorn’s television station, ASU TV-13, became one of my favorite hobbies and planted the seed for the business that I now manage today.
HOW HAS ALCORN HELPED PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER?
Alcorn has truly watered my spirit and professional development in a plethora of ways. My professors truly challenged and demanded excellence from not only myself but our entire department. We didn’t just do “busy work” and we were far from just a number. It was apparent that we were considered our professor’s future and that they truly wanted us to prosper beyond graduation itself. Working live events and having to gather stories around the area in real time, prepared me for the fast-paced nature and the heavy productivity climate that the professional world demands from those who work within it.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ENJOYED MOST ABOUT ALCORN?
What I enjoyed most about Alcorn by far are the people and community that I became a part of. I can’t express the joy I have when I see former classmates and alum who have walked “Where the grass is greener, where the air is cleaner and where the water is just a little bit sweeter.” I have made friendships and relationships which will stand the test of time. Secondly, I absolutely have to mention the peace that settles within Lorman, Mississippi. I loved the quiet and stillness that Alcorn provides. Tranquility would be a word that best describes it. I took many walks around campus where movement was minimal. I could walk, I could breathe, I could process and ponder who I was and why I was there. This is a clarification process which only Alcorn granted me. A lot of people have resisted Alcorn for this very reason, but me, I embraced it and I’m so glad I did.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR CURRENT OR FUTURE STUDENTS ON ‘THE YARD’?
My advice for current and future Alcornites, is simple. Stay present and take pride in the title of “a student.” The experience you will have within those 2-4 years will never be again so cherish the slow pace and allow it to develop and prepare you for your betterment as the institution was designed to do. And always stay BRAVE.
