We recently had the chance to connect with Donald Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Donald , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Who are you learning from right now?
When we started Alchemy Media Publishing, our goal was simple but ambitious: to make sure powerful stories are never forgotten.
Now, with Illuminated Storytelling™, we’re taking that vision even further. By combining narrative, design, and technology, we’re transforming reading into an immersive experience that connects with audiences everywhere.
Our first release, Dateline: Bronzeville — A Runny Walker Mystery, set that dream in motion, blending mystery, history, and imagination in ways we’re still exploring today.
A decade after its debut, Dateline: Bronzeville returns – reimagined for a new generation. Whether you’ve followed Runny Walker from the start or are meeting him for the first time, we think you’ll love what’s next.
So , , , I’m learning so much from the journey we’re currently on as we explore new and innovative ways to preserve and disseminate the important, often unrecognized, stories that define a culture and a society.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
At Alchemy Media Publishing, we believe stories are living legacies. Our team combines decades of experience in media arts, cultural history, and digital innovation to create projects that resonate across audiences and stand the test of time.
Currently, we are actively exploring Illuminated Storytelling™. By combining narrative, design, and technology, we’re transforming reading into an immersive experience that connects with audiences everywhere.
By combining narrative, design, and technology, we’re transforming reading into an immersive experience that connects with audiences everywhere.
After law school and a long business career, I’ve dedicated this season of my life to writing, editing, publishing, and exploring new and exciting ways to interpret those stories that I’ve known and the stories of others as they wish to share their wisdom, knowledge, and experience for current and future generations.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
As a seventh grader, I wrote an essay for publication in our school newspaper. Even limited by my own adolescent limitations, I was able to convey the story of a murder witnessed by a young boy on the sidewalk outside of a Chicago tenement. The response from students, faculty, and parents informed me that the way in which I could use language had power.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
In college, I was frustrated, and probably a little homesick, during my first year. I wrote my older brother a letter sharing feelings I could not share with my parents. When he received my note, he called me. He asked, “What in the world is your problem? Don’t you know the struggle and sacrifice our folks have made so that you could be sitting in that dorm room today?” Then he abruptly hung up the phone, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
It was then that I resolved that quitting was not an option. And I learned, on that day, that my life was not lived in a vacuum. My life was a part of a continuum to which I had an obligation. I’ve never forgotten that.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
The things that mean the most to me are things that money can’t buy:
My heroic wife, who has been fighting a valiant struggle over the past three years with an insidious cancer.
My daughter and grandchildren, who give me so much joy.
And, perhaps, as important as anything, is time . . . time spent with family. Time spent with my closest friends. And living each day with the understanding that the only legacy that any of us has is the impact we have on the lives of others. In many ways, that’s why storytelling has such importance to me – my closest friends know this.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I’m so fortunate to be doing exactly what I love – what I think I’ve been called to do. This is a blessing that can’t be quantified. At this point, I feel no inclination to retire. And I’m sure I’ll be writing stories in my mind throughout all of my remaining days.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alchemymediapublishing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donaldbrooksjones/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-brooks-jones-81586635/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donald.jones.3705/
