With years of distinguished leadership experience, Kendrick Jones is looking for opportunities to assist underserved communities using his many talents in both educational leadership and in government affairs. His life’s mission is to dismantle systems that support or maintain injustice, inequality, and the lack of representation and he chooses to do so all with a positive demeanor and strong stance on doing what is right for those whose stories, too often, go unheard.
In many ways, Kendrick Jones is an embodiment of the millennial professional. He is talented, highly educated, and driven for growth and success. More importantly, Jones is passionate about positive transformation, both personal and systemic. At just 23 years old, he has already spearheaded organizational initiatives for schools and non-profit organizations that serve low income communities and in his new role within the California State Senate, he is a rising star in what he believes to be a great foundation to a long career in public service.
Raised in South Central Los Angeles, CA, he earned both his Bachelor and Master of Art degrees from California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) at just 21 years old. With his Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies and a Master of Arts in Education, Jones began his career in student affairs, developing systems to aid in assisting low-income students in furthering their academic outcomes through mentorship, advocacy and to some extent—government relations with local politicians. As a current doctoral student in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy at Pepperdine University, Jones plans to further his agenda on dismantling systems of oppression and believes he can initiate and support educational policy reforms that could strongly benefit communities similar to those of his own upbringing.
He began laying the foundations of his career in government relations during his undergraduate years. As a student in CSUDH, he sat on student government and served as an elected student body vice-president prior to accepting full time employment at a local university. Kendrick Jones maximized the opportunities that these positions afforded him. He eventually had the chance to lobby at the California State Capitol at the California Higher Education Student Summit.
Building from these experiences, Kendrick Jones continued serving in administrative and leadership positions in the public and private sectors. He worked as a Program Manager for a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization at one point before throwing himself back into the world of politics. Jones served as a media consultant for a congressional candidate in California while completing his graduate studies. He successfully juggled the demands of both responsibilities at the age of 21, and now, Jones proudly serves in the California State Senate with the now 23-year-old assisting with the diverse needs of the constituents of the districts he represents.
For Kendrick Jones, this is only the beginning of his career in community service. He knows that there is still so much that he can do with his qualifications. All he needs now is the opportunity to showcase his talents, abilities, and passion. With hopes of moving up the political background to ultimately one day serving as Chief of Staff to an elected official whose passions in policy align with his own. “I want to have my footprint in the world of social change. There is a lot at stake, and I want to be a part of not just the conversation but also the efforts to see things through to fruition.” says Jones. When asked about his young age, Jones stated that “my age should not be a deciding factor as to whether or not I can do the job, but should be highlighted as an asset to my ability to connect with the world and with the issues of today.”
Jones’s greatest strength and most important qualification is his empathy. Drawing from his experiences, Jones has developed the ability to relate deeply to people from underserved communities. He is not just a person for the people, but a person who is with the people. He has lived their experiences, understands their truth, and has developed the competencies to initiate necessary reform.
Learn more about Kendrick Jones through his LinkedIn profile.
