A MAKING HEADLINE NEWS BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL REPORT
Say this about Dr. April Jones: She undoubtedly cherishes her father.
Never mind the discussion that transpired between Dr. Jones’ parents months before she was born.
DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL — Montgomery, Alabama author and businesswoman Dr. April Jones is the mastermind by the book, The Biography of Mose Jones Jr., Lawrence County Commissioner District 1: A Seed of the Foot Soldiers Bloody Sunday, March and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. One year removed from its official release, Dr. Jones’ book depicts her father’s life from the mid-1980s, during which he rose to prominence for his role in bringing voting rights to those who needed it most: the disadvantaged citizens of Lawrence County.
During a recent interview with Making Headline News, Dr. Jones, a Montgomery, Alabama-based businesswoman, spoke at length about how her father, renowned and longtime politician Mose Jones, Jr., once attempted to persuade her mother to abort her birth, in large because he could not afford to take care of another child.
By and large, it is an emotionally-driven, life-changing story about Dr. Jones admittedly doesn’t mind sharing, considering she and her father have established a close-knit relationship throughout the years.
So much, in fact, that Dr. Jones deemed it essential to chronicle by way of an awe-inspiring book the life of her beloved father, whom is widely regarded as the man who was amongst the first blacks to carry on the Civil Rights movement in Alabama, particularly after the immeasurable work of such foot soldiers as Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr.
“The single, (most) underlying reason I chose to produce the book was to honor my father and tell his important part of history,” said Dr. Jones, a native of Town Creek, Alabama, a rural establishment that is comprised of roughly 1,100 residents, according to the latest U. S. census.
The book to which she is alluding is entitled, The Biography of Mose Jones Jr., Lawrence County Commissioner District 1: A Seed of the Foot Soldiers Bloody Sunday, March and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
A book that made its much-anticipated presence on the market a little more than a year ago, — January 11, 2017 to be technical — Dr. Jones’ book depicts her father’s life from the mid-1980s, during which he rose to prominence for his role in bringing voting rights to those who needed it most: those disadvantaged citizens of Lawrence County.
Interestingly, long before Dr. Jones’ father had evolved into the beloved and motivating political servant for whom he is widely known, he had become a notable, big-hearted man of devout faith and a loving father, according to a spokesperson for her book in a detailed description at Amazon.com.
VISION UNFOLDED — Dr. Jones had adopted the vision for composing The Biography of Mose Jones Jr., Lawrence County Commissioner District 1: A Seed of the Foot Soldiers Bloody Sunday, March and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, most notably while her father was giving a rather inspiring and memorable speech, during which he spoke eloquently having the importance of such a remarkable honor.
A Lawrence County Commissioner for District 1 whom, long before he surfaced on the political landscape, had been mentored by a profound coach and teacher — whom many considered the most prominent black political leader in the county — the then-young Jones, Jr. had become knowledgeable of servant leadership, particularly the significance of how to play an integral part in bringing hope to his community.
To his credit, Jones, Jr.’s valiant contributions as a public servant had ultimately given way to him having received a commendable, notable award during the Selma 50th Jubilee Fruit Of The Labor Luncheon that was hosted by the National Congress of Black Women (the Birmingham Metro Chapter).
Consequently, Dr. Jones had adopted the vision for composing The Biography of Mose Jones Jr., Lawrence County Commissioner District 1: A Seed of the Foot Soldiers Bloody Sunday, March and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, most notably while her father was giving a rather inspiring and memorable speech, during which he spoke eloquently having the importance of such a remarkable honor.
MAKING MASSIVE HISTORY — A Lawrence County Commissioner for District 1 whom, long before he surfaced on the political landscape, had been mentored by a profound coach and teacher — who was the most prominent black political leader in the county — the then-young Jones, Jr. had become knowledgeable of the significance of servant leadership, particularly how to play an integral part in bringing hope to his community.
“When my father received his award and made his speech, I was touched and inspired to hear why he was so honored to get this award,” Dr. Jones said. “I never seen my father almost cry and give such an emotional speech.”
And never mind all of the past chitter chatter about aborting her birth.
What matters at this point, really, is that Dr. Jones and her father have established an inseparable, loving bond that quite frankly, no one can merely separate.
“At that moment, I felt more honored to be his daughter, holding back my tears,” Dr. Jones said of her father’s inspiring, tear-jerking speech for the ages. “I thought (it came in my spirit) we should get a book written about my father.”
The rest, as they say, was history.
“When my father and I were riding home on the highway (U. S. Highway 80) where the foot soldiers walked from Selma to the Montgomery March, we talked about what happened for him to get into office and I said, ‘You know, father, we should write a book about your story,'” Dr. Jones recalled.
Much to her delight, her father was all for it — was all for embracing and supporting the vision and purpose for which God created his daughter.
“He says, ‘Okay, but I’m not Martin Luther King, Jr. or any of those great foot soldiers I am not sure how many people want to hear my story,’” Dr. Jones explained. “Nevertheless, he agreed that we could write a book as long as I wrote it. In fact, he later shared that many people approached him to write a book and he refused. He told me he was so proud and honored that (his) very own daughter will write (a book about him).”
A 170-page written document that specifically recalls a vital portion of history, Dr. Jones emphasized that her book had to come to fruition, in large part because she was somewhat unsettled in that her father had not received much recognition, coupled with the fact that he was so proud of his award.
An accomplished entrepreneur who is the owner and chief executive officer of the Montgomery-based Visionary Consulting Services, LLC, a credible coaching and consulting services, Dr. Jones began writing her father’s biography shortly after the Jubilee.
“To this day, he talks about it and even had an article written about it,” Dr. Jones said of a book that is still attracting a wave of media attention. “I love my father, and I appreciate what he did to make a change on a local level for our community and all constituents in his county. The book details many challenges and triumphs.”
An accomplished entrepreneur who is the owner and chief executive officer of the Montgomery-based Visionary Consulting Services, LLC — a credible coaching and consulting services firm — Dr. Jones began writing her father’s biography shortly after the Jubilee.
Interestingly, in the wake of having jotted down an assortment of notes from their frequent conversations, she deemed it essential to hire a freelancer to develop what she described as “structured questions” during which she would then interview roughly 50 people about her father and his well-publicized legacy.
The first draft of the book, she said, was completed in approximately three months.
“However, it was a dull read,” said Dr. Jones, “so I hired another freelance writer to make it more appeasing to read.”
DESTINY STEPS — What matters at this point, really, is that Dr. Jones and her father have established an inseparable bond that quite frankly, no one can merely separate.
As it turned out, though, that development had eventually gave way to Dr. Jones needing an additional five months to finish the book, which was finally published in January 2017.
The rest, as they say, was history.
And never mind all of the past chitter chatter about aborting her birth.
What matters at this point, really, is that Dr. Jones and her father have established an inseparable, loving bond that quite frankly, no one can merely separate.
“The night of the Jubilee, he said that if he had allowed satan to convince him and my mother to abort me, I would have never served one of my many purposes, (which was) writing his book,” Dr. Jones said. “I never thought I would write so many books, but it was prophesied to me by Evangelist Debra Ward that I would write many books and travel the world as a part of my purpose God created for me. I have done just that.”
All while cherishing and honoring her beloved father in the process.
OTHER BOOKS BY DR. APRIL JONES:
Nurse Commitment: How To Have Professional Staff Nurses In a Multigenerational Workplace
A Not So Easy Road: The Story of the Little Boy Who Kept His Promise
Lil’ Boy’s Enchanted Red Hat: Coloring And Activity Book
Lil’ Boy’s Steps to Goal Achievement: A Goal Setting Journal For Kids
For more information about Dr. April Jones, to order her books or to schedule her for a speaking engagement, she can be reached at 334-603-0600. Also, connect with her at: www.vcsllc.co. Also, she can be reached via email at: draljones@vcsllc.co
EDITOR’S NOTE:If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
Andre Johnson is Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to andre@makingheadlinenews.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
ABOUT ANDRE: Andre Johnson is a longtime sports journalist and a 2000 graduate of the University of the Memphis with Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. A native of Memphis, Johnson is a former sport reporter Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper and Memphis Sport Magazine. He worked as full-time staffer for The Commercial Appeal from 2000-2002, in which he was the beat reporter for the Memphis Houn’dawgs of now-defunct American Basketball Assocation and the Memphis Xplorers of the arenafootball2 league. He has interviewed numerous sports personalities, most notably Archie Manning, LeBron James, George “Iceman” Gervin, Issac Bruce, Laila Ali, Vince Carter, Paul Westphal, Phil Jackson, Ken Hamlin, Cortez Kennedy, Michael Oher, Kobe Bryant, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Marc Gasol, Dwight Howard, James Harden, Patrick Willis, Stanley Morgan, Dirk Nowitzki, Rick Carlisle, Mark Cuban, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, John Force, Lamar Odom, Alexandra Stevenson, Derek Fisher, Penny Hardaway, Phillip Rivers, Colin Kaepernick, Jim Harbaugh, Tyreke Evans, Kirk Ferentz, and O. J. Mayo, among others. To reach Johnson, send email to: memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
Andre Johnson 
A book that made its much-anticipated presence on the market a little more than a year ago, — January 11, 2017 to be technical — Dr. Jones’ book depicts her father’s life from the mid-1980s, during which he rose to prominence for his role in bringing voting rights to those who needed it most: those disadvantaged citizens of Lawrence County.
“At that moment, I felt more honored to be his daughter, holding back my tears,” Dr. Jones said of her father’s inspiring, tear-jerking speech for the ages. “I thought (it came in my spirit) we should get a book written about my father.”
Much to her delight, her father was all for it — was all for embracing and supporting the vision and purpose for which God created his daughter.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
