Located in Monroe, Louisiana, the Jones Center for Arts and Academic Excellence serves as a beacon of cultural, educational, and emotional enrichment. Founded by higher education professional Dr. Alicia Jones and supported by a dedicated board—Tacorey Johnson, Heather Coleman, Dr. Brian Bush, Gahundi Hays, Jasmine Marshall, Sha’Nel Moy, and John McKeel—the Center was established with a mission to transform lives through access to both academic and artistic resources.

The Jones Center collaborates with local organizations to offer a wide range of programs that nurture creativity, intellectual growth, and overall well-being. In addition to its commitment to academic achievement and the visual and performing arts, the Center also invests deeply in mental health. Through targeted workshops and seminars for parents, students, and educators, we aim to foster healthier, more resilient communities equipped to handle the emotional challenges of today’s world.

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In 2025, the Jones Center will host an ACT preparation class for 7th and 8th graders, provide a scholarship opportunity for students in Monroe City Schools and Ouachita Parish Schools, offer a phonics and learning-to-read workshop for pre-K and kindergarten students, host the International Day of Literacy Quiz Bowl, and finally the  Mind the Gap mental health seminar. These programs are designed to provide both academic support and emotional empowerment to the next generation of learners.

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The Jones Center strives to be a hub where collaboration and mutual growth flourish, bringing together individuals of all backgrounds to create shared opportunities for success.

To learn more about the Jones Center and its upcoming programs, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/thejonescenteraae or contact them for donation inquiries at thejonescenteraae@gmail.com.