Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Alonia Parks
Dr. Alonia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
One of my closest friends will probably be so upset with me for this. But I spring from humble beginnings, and I often refer to myself as “just a skinny little girl from East Lake.” My family’s home is near the intersection of Hosea Williams Boulevard and East Lake Drive. For those who know Atlanta well, East Lake was not the most perfect place to grow up in the 1970s, but it was perfect for me and my family. I have some wonderful, wonderful memories. I am Atlanta born and raised. Some would say I’m a “Grady baby” (which I do identify with), but I was actually born across the street at Hughes Spalding Hospital. I am the youngest child of (the late) Alonzo and Velma Parks.
I attended Atlanta Public Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. A high achiever, I graduated from William Anderson Bass High School (in the Little Five Points community) as Salutatorian. I excelled academically and as a leader, basically participating in everything except sports.) My love for the arts was nurtured through my involvement in the Chorus, as a majorette, and through participation in performing arts events (plays, talent shows, etc.) at school and in the community. I was also a member of The Young Singers of Callandwolde. Popular amongst my peers, I was voted Miss 10th Grade, Miss Chorus (in the 11th grade) and homecoming queen, Miss Bass, (in my 12th grade year).
I wrote my first book, a book of poetry, at the age of 5. This caused me to believe I was born with a natural ability to write. My gift of writing was further affirmed when I was named a Mayor’s Scholar during Mayor Andrew Young’s administration. I was selected as one of four high school seniors to receive this honor, which yielded a scholarship for excellence in essay writing. (Mind you, there were 21 or 22 high schools citywide at the time.) The topic was, “If I Were Mayor.” I remain humbly proud of the fact that many of the things I said I would do as mayor were implemented in my fair city.
After high school, I graduated from Spelman College in four years, majoring in English. I worked part-time all four years, but I still managed to earn a place on the Dean’s List my last two years. I briefly sang with the Glee Club, and I was voted 2nd Attendant to Miss Junior.
My work experience has been very colorful and fulfilling. Beginning with my first job at the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, I laid a solid foundation for an amazing career in communications. I have used my gifts of writing, teaching, training, and speaking in a number of settings to include nonprofit, academic, corporate, business, government, faith-based, and entertainment. I have also leveraged my skills set to achieve very well as a public relations professional. When you call my name (or names…I am formerly Alonia Jernigan Jones), people know me as an excellent communicator, events producer and manager, and inspirational person of faith. In essence, I use my gifts to help people get from where they are to where they want to be: personally, professionally, and/or spiritually; and I do it all with an inspirational flair. When appropriate, I add a bit of humor as well!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Using the words of Langston Hughes from his poem, “Mother to Son”, I can truly say, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” I’ve had so many setbacks. Among the obvious: stature, kindness, race, and gender. I’ve always been small in stature, and that has often caused me to be taken for granted. Having a kind disposition can also work against a person, too. Most African Americans can attest to the fact that being Black in America has never been a cake walk. And being a woman, a Black woman in particular, brings just as many challenges.
Then there were personal struggles of finances – seemingly never having enough money to fully pursue my dreams. Because I am a servant at heart, I chose – many times – to accept opportunities that may not have paid what I knew I deserved. And that was okay because I knew what I signed up for. Along the way, I have reinvented myself several times. I have held fast to the realization that my gift of communication is not one-dimensional. As such, I refused to accept limitations on what I could or could not do within the realm of my gifting.
I’ve also struggled personally in marriage. My “happily ever after” foiled twice; yet, I have no regrets. Hurt, maybe. But I understand it was all part of the journey. My faith keeps me grounded, and I learned so many lessons along the way. Plus, I have three beautiful and accomplished children and a family and friends who sincerely love me. That’s all that really matters.
My struggles have been public. And, unfortunately, public struggles can yield false perceptions. I’m convinced that those who are resolved to love you will, indeed love you…regardless. Likewise, those who are resolved to think ill of you will do just that. So, I learned to keep my head up and keep pressing because at the end of the day, I can’t control how people feel about me. If perseverance, resilience, or undaunted had to be personified, without question, I am she.
As you know, we’re big fans of Dream 2 Destiny Enterprises, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Dream 2 Destiny Enterprises, LLC is a corporate communications and human development company. We exist for the purpose of helping individuals, corporations, and other organizations get from where they are to where they want to be through the utilization of expert communication skills, whether it be personally, professionally, and/or spiritually. In essence, we work zealously to clarify, chronicle, and celebrate the success of our clients.
I have been on my professional journey for more than 35 years. Under my leadership, Dream 2 Destiny is essentially renowned for amazing storytelling, in large part, through journalism. Professionally known as “The Prolific Voice”, I tactfully use the combination of my expert writing skills, poignant public speaking skills, excellent planning and management skills, and mesmerizing theatrical abilities to suit my clients’ needs on a case by case basis. Regardless of the assigned task, you can always count on me and my team of professionals to help achieve the expected end.
In the early 1990s, I was chosen by Carolyn Jernigan-Glenn to be the publisher of The Champion Newspaper. However, Carolyn soon discovered that I had a real knack for feature writing, causing her to assign me to writing many front page stories. I was later tapped by Who’s Who in Black Atlanta to serve as the lead features writer. As such, I wrote awe-inspiring articles on a number of leaders to include Xernona Clayton, Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, The Bronner Brothers, Frank Ski, Jovita Moore, Ryan Cameron, Bishop Eddie Long, and well over 200 others over a period of many years. Further, I was also lauded by the Atlanta Business League as one of its top three storytellers. Accordingly, I (along with Jacquee Minor and Marti Covington) was featured on the cover of the ABL’s Women’s business resource directory with a full article reflecting our excellence. The writer of choice for countless prominent Atlanta leaders, I was later entrusted with writing feature articles for Who’s Who in Black Birmingham as well as Who’s Who in Black Alabama.
Additionally, I was chosen to be the ghost writer of God Has a Plan for the Underdog, which is the autobiography of Shelley “Butch” Anthony, III, owner of This Is It! Southern Kitchen & Bar-B-Q. I am a two-time magazine owner. I founded IMANI Magazine, a publication that focused on faith, family, and empowerment, and published it from 1997 to 2004. My work with IMANI yielded a letter of commendation from the White House after the 9-11-2001 tragedy, which is when we published the edition entitled, “America Comes Back to God.” And, from 2016 to 2017, I served as publisher of South Fulton Lifestyle, a franchise magazine that highlights good news about people, places, and things in South Fulton, Georgia. Because of my wisdom in publishing, I have helped many individuals become self-published authors. I have even self-published a few books of my own.
Prior to becoming fully engaged with my writing, I was groomed for success in the Public Relations arena under the tutelage of Carl Hartrampf and Hattie Dorsey (Atlanta Chamber of Commerce’s Housing Resource Center/Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership), Lou and Theresa Walker (Paragon Public Relations), Toni O’Neal Mosley and Rozell Green (Clark Atlanta University’s University Relations Department), Mark O’Connell and Renee Bentley (United Way of Metro Atlanta’s VIP Initiative), and Bettye Davis (Housing Authority of Fulton County). I have written speeches, scripts, biographical sketches, website content, training materials, and a plethora of other corporate communications items for some truly amazing people and organizations. It all began when I took the advice of Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, then-president of Spelman College, who told me to accept the job at the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. I thought the job was beneath me (I started in a very nominal position [floater] that required me to make copies, etc.). Dr. Cole, in no uncertain terms, told me I had better take the job because I would build relationships to last a lifetime. She never lied: her words were profound and prophetic.
Although I have achieved many honors during my career, there are three that stand out the most. The first came in 2003 when I received the Alumnae Achievement Award from Spelman College in the area of Media and Communications. What a wow…it’s always an honor to be recognized by your alma mater. The second came in 2008 when I was nominated for Most Outstanding Journalist by California’s Electronic Urban Report. This is an honor that was shared with romance novelist, Zane and former ESSENCE Magazine editor-in-chief, Susan Taylor. And, in 2023, I played a major role in producing the first This Is It! Black History Honors program. The success of this production yielded remarks like, “This could easily rival the Grammys”, “This was remarkable…my son is still talking about it; I’ve never seen him in such awe,” “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” “Masterful,” and, “Excellent.”
A big part of my work is the service I give to God’s people. I was licensed to preach in 2000 at Greater Bethany Baptist Church by Rev. Dr. Curtis Lester (who baptized me when I was only 6 1/2). Prior to accepting my call to ministry, I served many years as the Director of Christian Education (wherein I used my professional skills in planning and production) and Youth Pastor. This was in addition to my participation in the choir, directing the Children’s Choir, serving as a Sunday School teacher, and helping with the welcome and church announcements. I have also learned much from one of my mentors and spiritual mother, Rev. Dr. Grace C. Washington of Love Life Christian Fellowship Church. Additionally, I was honored to work for Arlington Christian School in the dual capacity of Director of Communications and Campus Minister. I would like to add an honorable mention. In 2022, I received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for 30 years of humanitarianism and philanthropy as illustrated through my service to mankind.
Brand wise, I am very excited about the incorporation of the butterfly in my personal and corporate imaging. I wholeheartedly believe that setbacks, although inevitable, are only temporary. I believe that there is greatness in everyone, there is a book inside of everyone, and that as long as there is life, there is hope. Thus, the power of transformation comes forth in all that I do. I make a very conscious effort to live my life based on the five foundational principles of: (1) service to God, (2) service to man, (3) accountability, (4) integrity, and (5) excellence.
What were you like growing up?
I was never shy. I was always talkative and inquisitive. I was (and remain) very friendly…I never met a stranger. My family and friends would probably tell you that I have a kind heart and that I am a compassionate and loving person. People have always been drawn to me because of those character traits. But even though I’m an extrovert, I am not one who absolutely has to be out front. I can thrive wherever I am planted, but some of my greatest work has been done behind the scenes.
My interests have always been music; I love a range of genres. In fact, when you get in my car, you’ll see that I have my stations set to play Jazz, R&B, Gospel, and even Hip Hop. I have been singing since I was a child. My foundation in music rests in a combination of me being raised in the church choir, watching Soul Train every Saturday morning with my sister (who was six years older and an incredible musician), singing in the chorus from elementary school through high school, and participating in community talent shows and school productions.
While in college, I briefly sang with the Spelman Glee Club, but my work schedule conflicted with the practice schedule. I later started practicing with a Jazz band in hopes of making a career of it. However, that idea was quickly thwarted by my mother. She told me I couldn’t sing that kind of music and still say that I loved God. I grew up in an era where you didn’t argue with your parents, so I reluctantly honored her wishes. Then, when I was called to preach the Gospel in 1999 (licensed in 2000), my pastor informed me that I would have to sit in the pulpit, not the choir stand. Thus, my singing, once again, was placed on the back burner. However, I had yet another metamorphosis…a transformational moment…in 2023 when I made the bold decision to pick up the microphone and sing again. I have since created two productions, Songs in the Key of “A” and a tribute to Anita Baker. Both were great successes. I have also collaborated with Jazz Matters for my church’s (Dream to Destiny Ministries) annual Christmas program as well as “The Sounds of Philadelphia.” (There’s more to come musically.)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dralonia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralonia/ https://www.instagram.com/aloniasings
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/draloniaparks
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/dralonia
- Other: www.dream2destiny.net; www.aloniasings.com
Image Credits
Personal photo: Kori Williamson. Photo 1: Kori Williamson; Photo 2: Denise Gray; Photo 3: Kori Williamson; Photo 4: Yolanda Shorthouse; Photo 5: Darryl Winston; Photo 6: LaDonna Ferguson; Photos 7 and 8, courtesy of Dr. Alonia Parks.
