Meet Malik Jones | Motivational Speaker , Community Activist ,& Youth Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Malik Jones and we’ve shared our conversation with him and his team below.

Hi Malik & team, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how Malik’s background has played a role in who he is today?
Malik Jones was raised by his grandmother in Savannah, Georgia. She was not that easy on him. As the years passed by, he better understood why. He did not have what many would consider the average childhood. As a young boy, Malik was labeled a “problematic child.” In the fifth grade he was sent to an alternative school for an incident that he was falsely accused of. Unfortunately enough, at 11 years old, Malik made his first appearance in front of a juvenile court judge due to his chronic anger outbursts. His continuous chronic behaviors led him to be expelled from both public and alternative school, where he was retained in the 6th grade as a result. After learning how to take control of his behavior, Malik then returned to the alternative school in the eighth grade in hopes to be eligible to return to public school. Things still proceeded to take a wrong turn. On the day Malik received his packet that was required to be filled out to return to public school, Malik was sent back to the juvenile detention center for the tenth time. He missed his eighth-grade standardized test and was sentenced to six months locked away in Dublin, Georgia. With so many mistakes, hardship, and unfortunate mishaps, Malik’s eyes became aware of his lack of appreciation for his grandmother who tried her very best to raise him right. This was a life changing moment for Malik Jones; he was now ready to take charge of his life. While being incarcerated, Malik took the math and science portion of the standardized test. He passed and was placed in the ninth grade. Malik was determined to accomplish two goals when he was released; to be re-enrolled in the public school system and to graduate from high school on time. After six months passed, Malik was able to return home and achieve both of his personal goals. Throughout high school he experienced several obstacles, such as losing his great grandmother, failing all his classes during his first semester, and becoming a teen parent. Through it all, he remained determined. Malik took on 12 classes senior year allowing him to graduate with the class of 2015. Following graduation, Malik attempted college and decided to take a different approach on life. Malik gained employment as a Life Navigator for at-risk youth for a pilot program in Savannah, Georgia. After that assignment ended in 2018, Malik Started Inspired By Malik LLC and began telling his story at community events, local churches and throughout the public school district. Today, in 2022, the once troublesome child known as Malik Jones is now Malik Jones the Motivational Speaker, Community Activist & Youth Mentor.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My journey was not easy and it’s still not easy. Malik received a call from a WSAV reporter about how mentoring in the school can help youth. The interview topic came from a shooting that occurred in City Market where Malik was present and knew the young man they were charging. The interview allowed Malik to receive a phone call to apply to be a Life Navigator. Malik was sent a book to read by an amazing Author titled, I’m My Brother’s Keeper Not My Brother’s Killer. The Book was relevant and special because the setting took place in the local Savannah area. Malik became a life Navigator for the pilot session to help motivate at-risk youth. During the pilot session, he was asked to come speak at a community event. He made his first out of town appearance at a school in Atlanta, Georgia. He arrived at Randolph Clay High School and the former Alternative School Principal was the current principal at the high school. He found out the last principal at Randolph Clay High was a former principal of mine. Afterwards, I contacted my former principal, and was booked immediately to come speak at Dublin High School.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would tell a friend to come to Savannah and City Market on the weekend . I would recommend that my friend eat at The Olde Pink House .

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out my Momager/Mentor, Mrs. Emon Grayson. Since I came home from Dublin, she has been the most influential person in my corner. Mrs. Grayson helped me identify my gift and helped me recognize that I had a story that could inspire millions. I also want to shout out my big brother Jason Lawton; he’s the real MVP as well as my biggest supporter and role model. I looked up to him a lot while he stayed on me and always brought the best out of me. I also want to shout out some inspiring men in my life; Kevin Foard, Corey Frazier, and Shed Dawson, my former Principals McCrae Magum, Dr. Toney Jordon, and Dr. Roy Davenport. Lastly I would like to shout out my Phenomenal African American Female Attorney, Stephanie Burgess for always winning inside those courtrooms

Website: https://inspiredbymalik.wixsite.com/malik-jones

Instagram: @_inspiredbymalik & @inspiredbymalik

Linkedin: Malik Jones

Twitter: inspiredbymalik

Facebook: Malik Jones

Youtube: inspiredbymalik

Image Credits
Photo Credits Malik Jones