Zoniece Z. Jones

Executive Board Member 

As a child, Zoneice Jones always dreamed of becoming a schoolteacher. During playtime, her siblings and friends would “pretend” to be students in a classroom while Zoneice “pretended” to be the teacher.  Having a father who was a principal and a mother a teacher who believed all students could succeed even in a segregated environment in Mississippi, bolstered her love and commitment to teaching.  After graduating from high school, she attended Lane College, a small Methodist college, and received her BA in English with an emphasis in secondary education.  Following graduation, Zoneice moved to San Diego and applied for a teaching position at Lincoln High School.  Unfortunately, no jobs were available, thus Zoneice began her career in banking as an on-call teller. 

 

Remarkably, the on-call teller position pivoted her career in Banking.  Within 90 days of hiring, Zoneice received a promotion to Teller Trainer, which provided the opportunity to use her teaching skills not on high school students but to train other Tellers. A year later, a second promotion to Training Coordinator, three years later to Training Administrator with the responsibility of designing, implementing and facilitating workshops for all levels of bank staff. Though she was not teaching children, she was making a positive impact on the lives of those who attended the workshops. Ultimately, Zoneice landed the position as Assistant Vice President and Staff Relations Administrator.  For more than twenty years, Zoneice remained in banking. Her career in banking further fueled and fulfilled her desire to teach and to make a difference.  

 

Fortuitously, the bank’s closure in 1994 provided the perfect opportunity for Zoneice to pursue her dream of working with children. She and her husband Paul Jones used their retirement funds to establish Pazzaz, Inc. in 1995.  Pazzaz is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the future prospects of youth by providing quality academic and enrichment programs.  Zoneice believes all children desire to succeed, yet too many lack the adequate support and encouragement to realize and fulfill their dreams.  Through Pazzaz’s innovative programs and services, Zoneice and Paul have helped numerous children recognize their true potential to succeed in school and in life. 

 

In its twenty-six year history, Pazzaz programs include, The All Eyez on Teens TV Show, New ERAA Back to School Conference and Backpack Giveaway (one of the largest in San Diego County), Afterschool Tutoring and Homework Assistance, Team Support Family Counseling, computer and Robotic Quest classes, just to name a few. All reinforced Zoneice’s belief in the capabilities of children, their thirst for knowledge, desire to learn and to accomplish life goals.    

 

Zoneice and Paul are recipients of numerous awards and commendations, including the Channel 10 Leadership Award, Tariqu Khamisa Foundation Community Leadership, KPBS Local Heroes, NAACP Education Leadership, to name a few. 

 

Zoneice is the proud mother of two children and a wonderful grandson. She recently received a Masters in Education Law from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law.

 

Zoneice is gratefully humble and thankful to God for the opportunity to live her dream.  One of her favorite quotes is, “It doesn't matter what kind of car you drive, what kind of home you have or how much money you have in the bank. What matters most is that you made a difference in the life of a child.” 

Unanimous