Grambling State University Alumnus Empowers People Through Social Work and Music
by Mitchell Sasser | WeINSPIRE Reporter
HARRISONBURG, Va. - “A lot of dust, cotton, and tumbleweeds.”
That’s how Omar Jones, born in 1984, described the setting of his childhood in Lubbock, Texas. Jones, an only child surrounded with several cousins that he considered siblings, quickly learned the importance of family through his close-knit upbringing.
Initially, Jones wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. His mother was a nurse and his dad was a Vietnam veteran and social worker. It was his mom’s stories in the pediatric field that intrigued him to pursue a “servicing capacity” role as a doctor.
At Grambling State University, nestled in the piney hills of North Louisiana, all it took was an intro to social work class for Jones to find a new career path aligned with his lifelong passion to help people.
“At the end of the day, we are all just people, and your story, and my story – everyone has one,” Jones said. “For me, one of the biggest driving factors as a social worker is getting clients and people and families to recognize their own story.”
Music is part of Jones’ story. A self-described “church boy,” he sung in the choir at an early age. While soccer, football, basketball, and tennis occupied his childhood years, he transitioned to a musical focus in junior high, participating and competing in choral activities that included ensembles, becoming a drum major, and playing the tenor saxophone in band.
After watching the World Famed Tiger Marching Band on TV in seventh grade, Jones knew exactly where he wanted to go to school, and never deviated from that plan. Jones eventually received a vocal scholarship to Grambling State University.
Jones and several of his fraternity sisters of the Eta Zeta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota from Grambling State University. Photo courtesy of Omar Jones
While music is a passion of Jones’s, building community is at the forefront of his day-to-day work. He said each day is about setting a goal and making sure he is working to motivate and empower each individual person he encounters. Jones has been a licensed social worker in the department of human services in the youth services division in Washington, D.C., since 2013.
“I would not have the job that I have if it wasn’t for people,” Jones said. “I want to see everyone be successful, I want to see everyone be able to achieve some level of their full potential – whatever level that may be, and of course for each person it’s going to be a little bit different.”
Jones strives to make sure no one feels they are alone, and he motivates people to stay connected to their community and to seek out resources.
“It takes community, it takes a village, it takes several people,” Jones said. “Although you have a family, there is a family outside of your initial biological family, and that’s a support system. And as we know systems work together to create people.”
During a fellowship with Veterans Affairs in a substance abuse and mental health unit, Jones found himself challenged working with a particular client and ready to give up. Jones had never been to war, wasn’t a veteran, and didn’t have any substance abuse or mental health issues. He felt he couldn’t relate to the people he was meant to help. He thought the job was too hard and the breakthrough that needed to happen seemed unrealistic. But he knew that he could still empower people.
Jones decided to keep on pushing, and utilize the skills and tools that had helped him in his career so far. All it took was a conversation. The two were able to navigate a path that led to clarity, and Jones later received a communication from that veteran thanking him for the time that they were able to share, and the new found path he was on.
“It’s moments like that, that just let me know that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing,” Jones said. “Although I may not see the investment in that moment, I know it can happen.”
“After I broke down that barrier, a lot of those men were able to walk out of the room with better direction and a sense that they did not have to hold onto their past and what they used to do. They could make different decisions and that they did have the power within them to move forward in life without the use of substances.”
Ever since he could remember, living by faith was exemplified by his mother. Family-oriented, Jones was moved to highlight how important both his mother and his faith were to his story, as well as how deeply correlated they are to one another. This inspiration led to his song, “Gave me Jesus.” He released the song on October 24 in 2019 – the same day as her birthday.
Jones with his mother. Photo courtesy of Omar Jones
Jones said that he will always be involved in music in some capacity. He is currently singing with the DaNell Daymon & Greater Works gospel choir.
“I love people,” Jones said. “I want everyone to be successful and reach their full potential and be able to feel like they’re living and not just existing, and that they’re living on purpose. I want everyone to know that they actually have a purpose.”
