Through writing, mentoring, speaking and activism, Dorsey alumna Rasheeda Jones continues to inspire and advocate for the Black community.
Jones earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from CSU Los Angeles and her Masters in Social Work from Clark Atlanta University. The L.A. native is a psychiatric social worker with the LAUSD Black Student Achievement (BSAP) program, as well as a mental health advocate, writer, and author.
Jones is passionate about creating safe spaces for healing and positive affirmation, advocating on behalf of others, and inspiring others to be the change that they wish to see in the world. She serves as a community organizer with the Initiate Justice and Essie Justice groups, which lobbies for social and criminal justice reforms. In addition, she facilitates character building workshops in the community on self-love and physical and mental health.
Jones recently completed her second book entitled “Justice for Omar: A True Story of a Sister’s Resolve and a Brother’s Redemption.” This book tells the story of her relationship with her older brother, Omar, who has been incarcerated for 26 years after being convicted of a crime of which he has maintained his innocence. Her first book entitled “Justice” is the story of a young Black boy who learns to find hope and optimism in his life even though his father is incarcerated.
In “Justice for Omar,” Jones again explores the way that incarceration affects families and the importance and power of sibling bonds within the Black community. Through their writings and visits, Omar provides a strong male presence in Rasheeda’s life, helping her to navigate the challenges of adolescence, relationships, identity, career and coming of age. On the flip side, Jones is a trusted confidante’ for her brother, helping him to stay grounded and positive as he navigates the correctional system.
In addition, Rasheeda is continuing to campaign for reforms such as ending “death by incarceration” (people who are serving Life Without the Possibility of Parole sentences). Traveling recently to Sacramento regarding this initiative, Jones reflected, “By making the trip to the State Capital, I was able to activate my political power by using my knowledge, skills and most importantly, my voice to discuss something that matters to me.”
Earlier this month, Jones addressed the LAUSD School Board to share her plans to expand her afterschool club entitled MY C.R.E.W. (Creating Resilience, Empowerment, and Wellness), a student-led mental health and wellness space created for Black students.
“The importance of these spaces goes beyond just mental health; it’s about creating a sense of belonging and community for students who may not always feel supported or understood,” said Jones.
As a community advocate, Jones recently facilitated a workshop on self-care for young men in foster care for A Greater Me (AGM) program created and developed by Michael Jules, a social worker with L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services.
“I wanted them to understand that self-care is not selfish, it is revolutionary—it’s essential for their well-being and future success. The whole experience reminded me of the power of these moments of connection, where we can inspire growth and healing,” said Jones.
Finally, Jones just completed her third L.A. Marathon, which she described as “a celebration of growth, perseverance, and joy.”
“The first marathon I ran in 2023 was in honor of my brother Omar. Every mile that I ran was a testament to his strength, and a call to continue uplifting his innocence. My second marathon in 2024 was in honor of Nipsey Hussle, with all funds raised going to the Neighborhood Nip Foundation to support community programs focused on academics and music for our inner-city youth.
“This 2025 marathon was about embracing the beauty of my own hard work and wellness. This marathon was deeply meaningful because it inspired two more of my friends to push themselves to the finish line. [It] was a reminder that my journey is bigger than just me — it’s about inspiring others to believe in themselves and reach their own goals,” she said.
“Justice for Omar” is available on Amazon and tawfiqspublishing.com.
