Diversity is the representation of a variety of audiences in culture, features, perspectives and beliefs. Inclusion is the creation of a space where each individual is not only represented in being asked to sit at the table but also to be invited to influence the conversations, decisions made and opportunities to be had and received.
-- Shatoyia Jones
Educate. Seek Truth. Heal. Thrive.
Shatoyia Jones, reigning Ms. Massachusetts 2019 AWOS, is a diversity and inclusion consultant, social systems educator and entrepreneur, motivational speaker, budding podcast host, philosopher and model. In addition to being Founder and CEO of Ordinary x Influence, she is Founder and CEO of Abre Dance Therapy Fitness, & The First Ladies of Poverty TV, all created to holistically support women of ethnic descent and other under-served communities in their journey to escaping poverty, as well as wealth and community building. She also serves as Educational and Leadership Consultant for Crimson Education, recently being selected to provide press coverage for the 3-day conference: Improving Outcomes for Students Living in Poverty and Trauma, Her Campus Conference: Empower NYC, Power in Your Purse Awards and Business Fights Poverty NYC (more listed under 'Awards and Accolades' ) below.
With 13 years (and counting) of experience in the management and program development, cultural transformation and DEI / EDI / D & I industries, she was recently selected to serve as the sole project leader for Beyond El Campo literacy project in Costa Rica, Youth Engagement Specialist for Self/Dial AmeriCorps, Guest Workshop Host for Consortium for High Achieving Students of Color at Trinity College, Special Guest at MIT Innovation Conference & Harambe Seed Funding at Harvard Business. Her passion in life is to empower under-served communities and connect them to the necessary resources for success in spite of disparities caused by an unfair and unjust world. Ultimately, she wants to create a universal framework for poverty alleviation and be a positive force to all she encounters.
With 13 years (and counting) of experience in the management and program development, cultural transformation and DEI / EDI / D & I industries, she was recently selected to serve as the sole project leader for Beyond El Campo literacy project in Costa Rica, Youth Engagement Specialist for Self/Dial AmeriCorps, Guest Workshop Host for Consortium for High Achieving Students of Color at Trinity College, Special Guest at MIT Innovation Conference & Harambe Seed Funding at Harvard Business. Her passion in life is to empower under-served communities and connect them to the necessary resources for success in spite of disparities caused by an unfair and unjust world. Ultimately, she wants to create a universal framework for poverty alleviation and be a positive force to all she encounters.
Awards and Honors
2019
Workshop Host for Gasoline Alley Foundation: Building Wealth 101 [Link]
Media & Guest for Business Fights Poverty Conference [Link]
Media & Guest for Power of Your Purse Awards [Link]
Volunteer of the Year Award: American Women of Service [Link]
Media & Press for Book Launch: Acceptance Granted, CRNA [Link]
#TaketheMic Guest Speaker, Springfield Boy & Girls Club [Link]
HerConference Empower 2019 Special Guest and Media [Link]
Girl Behind the Look: Body Positivity and Confidence Guest Speaker, Topic: Confidence 101: Love Yourself First
Next Gen Summit Scholarship Recipient and Media/Press [Link]
Her Campus Feature: 8 Women Leading The Change In College Sustainability [Link]
i.Invest Judge and Mentor for 2019 i.Invest Competition
Whatever It Takes (WIT) Volunteer Coach/Mentor
Guest Speaker at Amherst Rotary
Special Guest at Harambe Seed Fun, Harvard Business
Invited as Watson Institute Scholar [Link]
Partnership with Desiree Talley Law, Group PLLC
Press for Collaborative of Educational Services: Improving Outcomes for Students Living in Poverty and Trauma [Link]
Ms. America Woman of Service Massachusetts 2019
Royalty Experience NYFW Model & Guest Speaker
Her Campus Campus Trendsetter
College Fashion Week Model
Miss Black America Massachusetts 2018-2019
Workshop Host for Gasoline Alley Foundation: Building Wealth 101 [Link]
Media & Guest for Business Fights Poverty Conference [Link]
Media & Guest for Power of Your Purse Awards [Link]
Volunteer of the Year Award: American Women of Service [Link]
Media & Press for Book Launch: Acceptance Granted, CRNA [Link]
#TaketheMic Guest Speaker, Springfield Boy & Girls Club [Link]
HerConference Empower 2019 Special Guest and Media [Link]
Girl Behind the Look: Body Positivity and Confidence Guest Speaker, Topic: Confidence 101: Love Yourself First
Next Gen Summit Scholarship Recipient and Media/Press [Link]
Her Campus Feature: 8 Women Leading The Change In College Sustainability [Link]
i.Invest Judge and Mentor for 2019 i.Invest Competition
Whatever It Takes (WIT) Volunteer Coach/Mentor
Guest Speaker at Amherst Rotary
Special Guest at Harambe Seed Fun, Harvard Business
Invited as Watson Institute Scholar [Link]
Partnership with Desiree Talley Law, Group PLLC
Press for Collaborative of Educational Services: Improving Outcomes for Students Living in Poverty and Trauma [Link]
Ms. America Woman of Service Massachusetts 2019
Royalty Experience NYFW Model & Guest Speaker
Her Campus Campus Trendsetter
College Fashion Week Model
Miss Black America Massachusetts 2018-2019
Past Awards & Honors
The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.
- Alice Walker
Personal Bio
Hello! I am Shatoyia Jones, Ms. Massachusetts 2019 AWOS, Ms. Black America Massachusetts 2018-2019 and Founder and CEO of Ordinary x Influence and the First Ladies of Poverty Foundation. I am a Southern girl, born and raised in Louisiana where--literally every single day-- I witnessed women of color work tirelessly just to put food on the table for their families and then pass away in debt, unfulfilled and haven't known what it means to truly enjoy life. I saw women of color poorly manage money and spend money like it was "burning a hole in their pockets" as we Southern folk say. Overall, I witnessed and continue to witness the generational effects of the lack of awareness (or desire to be aware) of how essential education, health, and a supportive community is to their escaping the mental and financial poverty we all grew up in. We all have dreams of being wealthy and living a high quality life, but we are not taught how to navigate the system to get there--specifically as women of color in America.
Instead, we are taught how to hustle and simply survive through conformity, compliance and silence with the threat of our jobs and families on the line if we do otherwise. We have been taught how to navigate this world around our fears, and really, if we're being honest, the majority of what we are taught when we grow up in poverty is fear. As a result, we spend our entire lives serving that emotion. I am tired of seeing this cycle happen within communities of women of color and allies, and to combat this cycle of generational poverty, I offer services, as well as an educational curriculum that will help persons of color, especially women of color, step into and activate our potential for social advancement and financial wealth in America. I also offer consulting services to community groups, organizations, and businesses to help them maximize the benefits of diversity and inclusion and reduce bias and prejudice against the communities of color they work with and serve.
Instead, we are taught how to hustle and simply survive through conformity, compliance and silence with the threat of our jobs and families on the line if we do otherwise. We have been taught how to navigate this world around our fears, and really, if we're being honest, the majority of what we are taught when we grow up in poverty is fear. As a result, we spend our entire lives serving that emotion. I am tired of seeing this cycle happen within communities of women of color and allies, and to combat this cycle of generational poverty, I offer services, as well as an educational curriculum that will help persons of color, especially women of color, step into and activate our potential for social advancement and financial wealth in America. I also offer consulting services to community groups, organizations, and businesses to help them maximize the benefits of diversity and inclusion and reduce bias and prejudice against the communities of color they work with and serve.
Gallery
-- Miss Black America 2018, 2019 --
I do recommend watching the whole thing! <3 It reminds me of the value in all that I experienced there. If you just want to skip to parts with me: 3:22-me, welcome reception intros 7:34- Practice, Walk (I have on the ball cap and grey tank) 10:14- Negro Baseball League Reception 15:24- middle swimsuit 15:40-evening dress (gold far right with high bun & fro in the back) View My Campaign here. |