Interview with Writer and Publisher Timothy Jones | Alternative Break
In this interview Timothy Jones discusses his path to become a writer and publisher, his work in youth development and his role in creating the world's first hip-hop conference at Howard University. Students from our academy program Alternative break join Jones for a special Q&A session.
Jones' journey illustrates the power of community and networking in shaping one's career path, fostering creativity, and achieving success.
Timothy Jones is a perfect example of how perseverance, adaptability, and continual learning can help you build a career in the arts. His creative journey began with drawing and beatboxing as a child. He attended Howard University, where he majored in business accounting and co-founded the world's first hip-hop conference. After graduating, he worked in accounting at Georgetown University before transitioning to youth development work in 1996. His passion for youth education and hip-hop fused together when he began Hip-Hop Ed a movement that promotes the educational value of hip-hop culture. In 2011, Jones started writing daily devotionals which eventually led to him publishing his books. Throughout his career Jones has made a lasting impact in the fields of hip-hop and youth development.
The importance of perseverance, adaptability, and continual learning in building a career in the arts
A significant element of Tim Jones' career journey was his ability to adapt and continually learn. Despite starting his career in accounting, he realized that he had a passion for hip-hop and youth work, which drove him to transition into the field. Jones emphasized the importance of not getting complacent and always looking for the next opportunity or challenge to push oneself further.
Jones shared, "I enjoyed who I worked for and who I worked with more than I enjoyed the work that I was doing... I feel like I'm being led in a different direction."
He also highlighted the significance of extracurricular activities in shaping one's career and personal growth. Jones said, "the extracurricular was just as valuable as the curricular... it formed relationships that honestly I still have 30 years later.”
The power of hip-hop in education and self-expression
Jones co-founded the world's first hip-hop conference at Howard University, marking a significant milestone in recognizing the genre's educational and cultural importance. He also co-founded Hip Hop Ed, a platform that integrates hip-hop with teaching methodologies.
“The Hip Hop Conference at Howard is the first national hip-hop conference to be held at a college or university... the first one it was more part of being student government... then in 1992 we created the Cultural Initiative Incorporated and then the corporation put on conferences two through six,” said Jones.
Jones expressed his belief that everyone is a poet because everyone has something to say, emphasizing the power of hip-hop and writing as forms of self-expression. He stated, "I believe every person is a poet because everyone has something to say... as long as you can speak you have words, as long as your heart is pumping you have beat and those two things come together and on paper, that's how you begin to live."
Community and networking foster creativity and success
Jones emphasized the importance of community and networking throughout his career journey. Whether it was his involvement in the Howard University student government, his participation in the hip-hop conference, or his work at Martha's Table and Hip Hop Ed, Jones pointed out that these experiences helped him establish valuable connections and foster his creativity.
“You have to have those extracurriculars that allowed you to build relationships... and those relationships became clients,” Jones highlighted. He also noted the benefits of being part of a supportive community, saying, “even though you're not on the same path... you support one another and when they put that bat signal up you make it a priority because you know they would do the same for you.”
The students at our arts academy explore potential career paths
Our alternative break field trips take academy students on a journey to explore the performing and visual arts in DC, Baltimore, Arlington, Philadelphia and New York. Students get a chance to delve into the cities and converse with media professionals to get an understanding of their successes and the journey they took to get there. Gaining knowledge from those who have already achieved their ambitions helps students in making their own dreams possible. From music studios and art galleries to comic book stores, silk-screen museums, theaters and artist-owned galleries, students can discover various occupations in the arts and ask industry professionals questions.
