Rising Stars: Meet Kimberly Jones of Grant Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Jones

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a renowned American author and filmmaker, best known for my New York Times bestselling young adult novel, “I’m Not Dying With You Tonight.” In addition to my successful writing career, I have made notable appearances as a guest on various shows and podcasts, including The Breakfast Club, CBS Mornings, The Daily Show, and TMZ.

I have a strong background in film and television. I studied theater at the Chicago Academy for the Arts and went on to study film with a concentration in producing at Columbia College Chicago. I started my career in the industry by working on the reality TV series “Being Bobby Brown” and later had the opportunity to work with Tyler Perry on films such as “Madea’s Family Reunion” and “I Can Do Bad All By Myself.” I have also produced numerous independent films that are available on various streaming platforms.

I have authored several other books, including “Why We Fly,” which was recognized as a Sydney Taylor honoree, and “How We Can Win: Race, History, and Changing the Money Game That’s Rigged,” which received critical acclaim. I have also contributed a short story to the anthology “Game On: 15 Stories of Wins, Losses, and Everything in Between,” edited by Laura Silverman. Additionally, I have written op-eds for publications such as Time, Marie Claire UK, Essence, Pop Sugar, and i-D Magazine.

My contributions to literature have garnered recognition and accolades. I have served on various selection committees and advisory boards, including the Selection Committee for Library of Congress’ National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, the Children’s Choice Illustrator Committee for The Children’s Book Council, and the advisory board for the Creative and Innovative Education Master’s Degree program at Georgia State University.

My accomplishments have been highlighted in numerous publications, including Ms. Magazine, Seventeen, Entertainment Weekly, Bustle, and Publisher’s Weekly. I have received grants and honors such as the James Patterson Holiday Bookseller Bonus grant and the GQ Germany “Voice of the Year” award. My work continues to resonate with readers and viewers alike, inspiring and challenging societal norms. As a human rights activist and author, I moved into television after striking an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group which lasted from 2020-2022.

Alright, 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?
It was not a smooth road. I have had moments of great success and financial stability. I’ve also had times that to people on the outside looked hopeless and was housing insecure, and everything in between. That’s what a life in the arts looks like, there’s no straight line.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an associate agent at LCS Literary and also an author. As an agent, I specialize in representing adult non-fiction and children’s picture books. In my writing career, I cover various genres; I have two young adult novels, a short story in a young adult anthology, and an adult non-fiction book. Currently, I’m working on my first adult fiction book. I am best known for my New York Times bestselling young adult novel, “I’m Not Dying With You Tonight,” co-authored by my friend Gilly Segal. One of my proudest moments was being nominated for a NAACP Image Award for outstanding literary work youth/teen. What distinguishes me from others is my distinctive voice and my ability to address social justice issues in a concise and digestible way.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about our city is its culture. It’s brimming with art, dining, commerce, and a diverse community. However, what I like least about our city is the wealth gap between the dominant culture and marginalized groups, which is why I founded alongside Phil Thompson Vocation Ventures which aims to bridge the wealth gap by assisting recent high school graduates and underemployed adults with attending trade school or acquiring trade level employment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kimberlylatricejones.com

Image Credits
Angelo Riley