Jonathan C. W. Jones '18
Executive Director
PK-12 Administration Certificate ’18 (College of Education and Human Development)
Alumni Association Member
About UpLiFT Movement
UpLiFT Movement is a mission-driven educational organization founded in 2021, dedicated to cultivating and celebrating Black male educators. With a national network, we support the professional journeys of pre-K to 12 educators through recruitment, retention, and ongoing development. Our initiatives include culturally sustaining mentorship and the creation of affinity spaces in partnership with schools, districts, and institutions. Our signature partner is Edifying Teachers. By fostering a supportive community, we empower Black male educators to thrive and make a lasting impact in the classroom and beyond.
Help us diversify the teacher workforce and purchase a copy of our publication, UpLiFT, available on Amazon.
Learn about our professional development with the Grant Writing Master Course in October 2024.
Address
597 Viking Drive East
Little Canada, MN 55117
Contact
About Jonathan
Jonathan C. W. Jones is the Founder and Executive Director of UpLiFT Movement, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing educational equity and cultivating black male educators. Under his leadership, UpLiFT Movement has made significant strides in transforming Minnesota's teaching landscape, successfully securing funding from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Professional Educators Licensing and Standards Board. This funding is essential for launching innovative initiatives aimed at increasing diversity within the teacher workforce.
Jonathan is deeply committed to addressing educator shortages and providing robust support for underrepresented communities. He has positioned UpLiFT Movement as a key player in the state's efforts to expand pathways into the teaching profession. His innovative programs, such as "Boosting Support for New and Current BIPOC Teachers Through Culturally Sustaining Mentorship" and the "UpLiFT Empowerment Coalition: BIPOC Educator Insight Initiative," foster an inclusive environment that elevates the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) educators.
Through UpLiFT Movement, Jonathan is dedicated to uplifting black male educators by providing paid mentoring opportunities and professional development initiatives. His holistic approach aims to create lasting change in the educational ecosystem, enriching student experiences across Minnesota and beyond. With a focus on recruitment, retention, and professional growth, Jonathan C. W. Jones is a transformative force in reshaping the future of education.
He resides in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with his wife, Sabrina D. Jones, the Founder & CEO of SJC Body Love, and their sons, Christopher and Cairo.
