Dawn Jones shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Dawn, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me probably sounds like complete chaos to most people. I wake up to workout at 5 am every morning, I then wake the kids up and get them ready for drop-off. Getting the kids ready is probably the sweetest part of my day, because we are able to do breakfast and chat in the car. After I drop the kids off, I am usually racing home for my first meeting, I work in news so almost everyday is pretty demanding. I am typically in back to back meetings until its time for me to go and pick the kids up, once I pick up the kids I return home to cook dinner, depending on how my work day went, I may spend dinner time completing task for work. Once the kids are done with dinner, they wash up and head to bed. I try my best to spend the later hours of the night decompressing, but that typically just looks like scrolling on TikTok or reading until I fall asleep.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am born and raised in Alief of Houston,Texas. For the last decade, I’ve dedicated myself to social justice advocacy and voter mobilization, managing senate, gubernatorial, and national campaigns. Over the years I have been able to share my personal story through blogging in hopes to inspire black women. I am a single mother of two amazing children, while simultaneously chasing my dreams. Because I know that the balance is a lot to juggle, I knew that other women had to be experiencing the same challenges, so I started to write and vlog about my life experiences. Through blogging I have been able to share personal thoughts on motherhood, social justice, fitness, and self love. Blogging sent me down a path that later allowed me to launch a podcast and YouTube channel called Pretty In Politics, where I give voter information, along with allowing guests the opportunity to educate listeners on their personal niche. I am very passionate about the advancement of the African American community. I understand that in order for each of us to get ahead, we must work to bring each other along.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The idea of seeking validation from others is something that has slowly been released over the last years. I think there is a part of everyone who cares to know what others think of them, and to an extent, it matters. However, it shouldn’t be at the forefront, definitely shouldn’t be a deciding factor for decision making. I think the fear of what others think of us hinders us from taking a lot of steps. Once I canceled the idea of considering what others may think of me, I started my youtube channel, i started to make more content, I started to do all of the things that I actual wanted to do. Thats where the liberation began. “The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz” is a book that I always return to for reminders, in the book he talks about how each of us are far too consumed with ourselves and are actual not paying attention to eachother the way that we would assume, in short, just do what you want to do, we are all living our own lives.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Its the moments in which I suffered the most that have taught me the greatest lessons. There are quite literally just experiences that you have to go through to truly grow. I had my son when I was 24 years old, and it was almost like I had to grow up overnight. Going from being the baby of my family to being a baby with a baby took me for a whirlwind, I had to learn to care for the both of us on my own, that required many sacrifices on my end, I worked 24/7, I was working on my bachelors degree, all while trying to start my career in politics. For the first years of his life it was just the two of us, it was the scariest thing I had ever experienced. However, had I not endured that sort of suffering, In no way would I be the woman and mother that I am today.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
My commitment to social justice advocacy and voter mobilization will never go away. I have had countless conversations with others about their opinions on voting, and their thoughts around the lack of results that come from civic engagement.
I have worked every single election cycle since 2018, and in that time, I have seen more losses than wins, however, I’ve seen movement. I’ve been able to understand the long game that comes with voting and policy implementation, and it is just that, a long game. It is always my hope that I can articulate my understand of voting to marginalized voters who continue to feel disheartened by recent election results. I will always deeply care about people, and I will continue to try to move the needle each time.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
Outside of being with my children, the gym makes me feel most at peace. I started my fitness journey in 2017, following the birth of my son, and then again after the birth of my daughter in 2022. Initially, the goal was postpartum weight loss, but I now look at my workouts like my me time. In most instances I am in some form of servitude, whether if that parenting or at work, I hardly have time that’s just for me. I workout every single morning, and when Im working out, I am able to tune everything out and only focus on me, get a good workout in, and look great while doing so, its a win-win situation. I wish the same for all mothers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/dawnelisejay
- Instagram: @dawnelisejay
- Linkedin: Dawn Jones
- Facebook: Dawn Jones
- Youtube: Pretty In Politics
