Meet The Author

Author, Philanthropist, CEO

Dr. Kia Monique Jones is a dynamic scholar, transformative leader, entrepreneur, and visionary dedicated to leaving a lasting legacy. Drawing inspiration from Iyanla Vanzant’s powerful words, “I am not my sister’s keeper. I am my sister,” Dr. Jones is deeply committed to empowering women and uplifting youth. She has embraced these principles, creating spaces where individuals are equipped with the tools and resources to challenge the status quo, break barriers, and create meaningful change in their lives and communities. Dr. Jones is also the author of A Heartfelt Open Letter to a Girl That Never Settles, her debut novel, and her highly anticipated second book, Respectfully, I’m Her, with many more works to come such as Worth the Wait (2025).

Dr. Jones has earned widespread recognition as a change agent and humanitarian, receiving numerous prestigious awards throughout her career. Her accolades include:

Mississippi Business Journal’s 2018 Top 50 Under 40 Award and Inaugural Mississippi’s Top Entrepreneurs Award

2019 Women Economic Forum’s Exceptional Women of Excellence International Award in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Inclusion in the 2019 For(bes) The Culture Elite Minority Leaders

2020 Mississippi Business Journal’s Top CEOs in Mississippi

2020 Social Action Trailblazer Award by the Dynamic Southern Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., during Mississippi Delta Days at the Capitol

2021 Best of Mississippi Awards for Overall Business of the Year, Author of the Year, and Publisher of the Year

2021 Mississippi Business Journal’s 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi

2022 Business Woman of the Year Finalist by the Mississippi Business Journal

Inaugural 2024 JSU’s Top 40 Under 40 Award

Dr. Jones was also recently selected for the second cohort class of 2024 for The Change Collective, a groundbreaking initiative sponsored by Civic Nation and championed by former President Barack Obama. This initiative, piloted in Jackson, MS, focuses on connecting individuals, bridging divides, and solving community-level problems.

Dr. Jones is deeply committed to improving lives, advocating for disadvantaged populations, and serving as an asset to diverse communities. Her extensive community involvement includes board leadership and memberships in Leadership Greater Jackson, the Mississippi Black Leadership Institute, and the Children’s Health Management Team for the Junior League of Jackson. She also serves on the Planned Parenthood Southeast Advisory Council, the Mississippi Ending the HIV Epidemic Black Leadership Collaborative Taskforce with the Mississippi State Department of Health, and the American Red Cross for Disaster Relief.

Kia is a dedicated member of the Jackson (MS) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., serving as the Mississippi Social Action Co-Coordinator for the Dynamic Southern Region. In this leadership role, she drives advocacy, community engagement, and policy initiatives to address social issues and promote equity and justice statewide.

As the Founder, President, and CEO of For Brown Girls, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization she established in 2015, Dr. Jones is dedicated to uplifting, motivating, and empowering women of color. Through her organization, she strives to foster positive change, strengthen marginalized communities, and help women fulfill their dreams. Her expertise in public health and advocacy allows her to strategically support disadvantaged groups, leveraging her experience in areas such as fundraising, grant writing, volunteer management, special events, and community development.

Dr. Jones, a rising public health leader, is a proud Jackson, Mississippi native and graduate of Jackson Public Schools and Provine High School. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a Pre-Medicine focus and a Master of Science in Biology, both from Jackson State University. She also earned a Master of Public Administration from Belhaven University and a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Jackson State University’s CEPH-accredited School of Public Health, completed in 2020. As a published author and active researcher, Dr. Jones is dedicated to advancing public health knowledge, with multiple manuscripts in progress.