Today we’d like to introduce you to Matielyn Jones.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed politics and wanted to run for office. I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana where I developed an early appreciation for diversity, creative arts, and civic engagement. Our family moved to Norcross, Georgia during my freshman year of high school, and I am a proud graduate of Gwinnett County Public Schools. I earned a Master’s degree in Social Foundations of Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Georgia State University. After college, I returned to Gwinnett County Public Schools to teach Social Studies and to serve as a Faculty Advisor to several student groups. My commitment to people-centered, mission-driven work has presented me with an array of professional opportunities over the past decade.
As a former staffer for President Obama’s 2008 Campaign in North Carolina, I worked tirelessly to educate, organize, and empower voters to maximize their political efficacy–delivering a victory for Democrats for the first time in 30 years. As a freelance consultant in Virginia, I developed an adult learning curriculum for a county-wide training program designed to help low-income women begin administrative careers.
As an administrator for a charter school in Ohio, I developed relationships with community organizations to form a recruitment pipeline for parents seeking school choice options. I currently work as a Talent and Learning Project Specialist managing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives for a nonprofit organization.
I am a woman of faith-inspired to lead with integrity, courage, and compassion. I’ve been married to Darryle Jones for 13 years, and we have two handsome sons. I look forward to serving as an elected official and positively impacting the lives of many generations to come.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve always enjoyed politics and being involved in civic organizations. For as long as I can remember, I knew I would run for office one day, so in the sense of being “ready” to run, I’m ready! At the same time, I’ve learned so much along the way…things I simply would have no way of knowing before actually having this experience for myself.
One of the practical challenges is fundraising. Political candidates generally raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to successfully operate their campaigns, hire staff, and reach voters through multiple channels. For many candidates, fundraising is their least favorite part about running for office, but it is absolutely required to run a competitive race. I tend to gravitate toward opportunities that are intrinsically meaningful to me, so this is new for me–learning how to raise money and working through the art and science of what all that entails.
Another practical challenge is time. There’s only 24 hours in the day, and life doesn’t stop because I decided to run for office! I work full-time (commuting downtown), I’m a wife and mom of young children, I serve in my local Democratic Party and Democratic Women’s group, I volunteer for a local nonprofit, and I’m running for State Senate. The demands of everyday life coupled with the demands of campaigning means that I’m learning to set my sights on the big picture, prioritize what’s most important for the moment, give myself grace, and “win” the day.
Besides the practical, personal challenges vary greatly from one candidate to the next. For me, there are times when running for office feels lonely. Only a small portion of the general population ever runs for office–it’s not a common experience–so I have come to deeply value relationships with other women in politics as a primary support system throughout this process. At the same time, running for public office is quite public! I don’t know what it’s like to be famous, but having my life on display as a public figure can be a little daunting. I’m doing my best to find balance and to show up as authentically as possible in every space. Lastly, I’ve always been ambitious and driven to succeed, and yet, my success with this pursuit is beyond the reach of my own efforts. I am doing my best to connect with voters and run the best campaign possible, but at the end of the day, the voters decide. I won’t know until Election Day if I have the support to accomplish my goal even though I’ve been in the race for almost a year. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and I’m learning to work differently because of what the vision requires.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’ve always been intrigued by the Constitution.
The idea that our Union can be perfected and that we all play a part in the process is something that has resonated with me since childhood. As a wife, mother, millennial and woman of faith, I am deeply committed to using my gifts and talents in service to my community.
That’s why I’m running to become the next State Senator of Georgia’s 45th District.
I want to see more compassion in politics and more progressive people of faith stepping up to serve in elected leadership. There is a serious need for balance in our legislature. From healthcare and housing to education and the environment, there are countless opportunities to direct our shared resources towards improving the quality of life for all Georgians. We need balance in our legislature. We need leaders who want to build on common ground, who lead with integrity, and who are willing to invest in the success of all people.
I’ve spent my career in people-centered, mission-driven roles, and I know the value of working hard behind-the-scenes to carry forth a greater vision for the future. I recognize that with the current political climate, we have a tremendous opportunity to flip this seat from red to blue for the first time in nearly 30 years.
So I’m going for it! I’m most proud of myself for making the decision to run for office and taking the leap of faith to get in the race. I care about how people experience government. I want people to have the tools and resources they need to be successful in life. I want to remove systemic barriers to access and opportunity. I want people to be seen, heard, and valued by their elected officials. Beyond shaping policy and managing budgets, I believe there’s a higher calling to this work. There’s a heart to democracy. And because We the People form this Union, it’s up to each of us to ensure that the ideals of equality, merit, progress, liberty, and justice for all are realized for all. I’m on a mission to elevate the conversation and to encourage others to be more involved in the political process beyond voting.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Drive, Ambition, Curiosity
Contact Info:
- Website: www.matielynjones.com
- Phone: 678-978-0167
- Email: info@matielynjones.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/matielynjones
- Facebook: facebook.com/matielynjones
- Twitter: @matielynjones
Image Credit:
Slingshots Photography, Lexi Photography
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