Vivian R. Jones

Founder and CEO Vivian R. Jones was born on September 3, 1948 in Sweet Home, Arkansas to Annie B. and German Jones. As a child, Jones relocated to Chicago, where she earned her A.A. degree in Social Services from Kennedy-King College. Jones completed her B.A. degree and her M.Ed. degree in Education from Chicago State University, and later received her Honorary Doctorate Degree of Divinity from the International Pentecostal Assemblies Ecumenical College of Bible Theology.

Dr. Jones has overcome many obstacles in life as she has worked toward fulfilling her commitment to improving the lives of others. In 1992 she founded Annie B Jones Community Services, Inc. (ABJ), which is a community based social service agency that provides much needed services to children, families, seniors, and the community at large. ABJ was named in memory of Dr. Jones’ mother Annie B. Jones, Mrs. Jones was a community organizer and a union leader (AFSCME Local 286 President) who died at the young age of 53 years old. Mrs. Jones, and Dr. Jones’, father German Jones, Sr. left a legacy of giving with their children. ABJ Community Services, Inc. (ABJ) offers a variety of services to the Chicago community, those services include: Foster care, behavioral health, employment training, the ABJ computer clubhouse, Teen Reach, ABJ Community Services Sunshine Food Pantry, SPF-SIG, ABJ Community Services, Inc. , The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and C.O.N.N.E.C.T.S, Coalition of Organizational, Neighborhood and Network Empowerment through Culture, Talent and Spirituality. Dr. Jones' parents’ example is the foundation of her commitment of giving to society and those who are often misjudged, misunderstood, and disregarded. ABJ provides comprehensive social services to more than 5000 people every year.

In 1996, Dr. Jones became the Commissioner of the African American Family Commission and served there for five years. She also serves on the Board of Directors for The Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention as one of its founding members, and serves as Vice-President on the Board of Directors for The South Shore Chamber Commerce. As a result of her dedication to service, Dr. Jones has been recognized and honored many times for her work and commitment to the community. Some of the honors include; Honored Professional of Who's Who in Executives in Business. The Chicago Defender Newspaper recognized and awarded her as one of the Women of Excellence in April of 2009 for her benevolent work. Dr. Jones has also been awarded the prestigious Kizzy award in three different categories. She was listed in Today’s Chicago Woman magazine for two years and awarded the Woman at the Top of Her Game Award. Additionally, Dr. Jones has been featured in Essence and N'Digo Magazines. She was most recently recognized for Inspirational Community Service by the Urban Sustainability Association (USA) in May of 2009.

Vivian Jones was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on April 20, 2012.