REAL DADS OF THE METRO
The Community Mural We’ve seen them before. They’re important images in the Black household: a portrait of Black Jesus, leading ladies in fabulous hats, droves of Black folk sharply dressed and dancing at small juke joints. These paintings still decorate the walls of Nana’s house and give us brief moments to experience and recall Black joy. More importantly, they’ve become an essential part of American history. They remind us of our voice and the importance of community engagement. Greg Jones
BY LANCE EVANS PHOTO BY HANA’ AHMAD COLEMAN
Greg recalls there were important male figures in his life growing up who consistently taught him the value of community. “There were quite a few older men who shaped my direction,” said Greg. “Willie Bryson was always very resourceful. He always talked about community from the perspective of ‘what I have is what you have.’ A lot of growing up was watching him bartering, trading and sharing his resources.” The value of community Willie Bryson has been Greg’s neighbor for more than 40 years. Their friendship began in the community of Spencer and continues today in the JFK neighborhood of Northeast Oklahoma City. Their relationship remains themed around the concept of prioritizing community. They offer each other much more than a smile or neighborly hello. Their friendship has been a cathartic experience for Greg, providing him with valuable resources and affirming his belief in community. When it came time for Greg to start his own family, he knew building his own community would be pivotal to his family’s success. He would use the lessons learned from his parents and Mr. Bryson to establish a set of core values. Greg would find the perfect partner to help. During a college winter break from the University of Oklahoma, Greg traveled home with best friend Charles Henry. Charles invited Greg over to a childhood friend’s home. As Greg walked into the house, he immediately saw a young lady standing near her mom’s stove baking cookies. “The smell and aroma of those chocolate cookies caught my attention,” remembered Greg. That moment stuck with Greg for an entire year. He convinced Charles to take him back to his friend’s home and, finally, he was able to talk to Ericka. After dating for a few years, the happy couple married in 1998. Greg and Ericka’s union welcomed the birth of three children: daughter, Jordan, and twin boys Erick and Elijah. When it came time to educate their kids, Greg and Ericka settled on homeschooling. They discovered early on in their journey that learning never really stops when you teach from kitchen table.
Real Dad Greg Jones has seen these images his entire life. Along the way, he’s had allies helping him illustrate his own life. To understand Greg as a real dad, you must first acknowledge his supporting cast. These vibrant characters are more than just affable supporters taking up space in family portraits—they are his story. Childhood lessons Greg was born in Long Island, N.Y., and he would move with his family to Oklahoma at the tender age of 4. His parents were in search of community. “My mom was from Oklahoma and dad was from New York,” said Greg. “They met in the service. My dad always wanted to live in a community where he could have acreage and a small farm. Oklahoma was perfect for that.” His father’s dream of acreage would take on a new meaning as Greg’s family settled in Spencer, Okla. The family would acquire more than just land. They would soon meet an entire community of Black folk who would become important figures in Greg’s life for years to come. After his mom, Ineze Jones, and dad, Amos Jones, retired, they began impactful community service jobs as pastor and first lady. “What I learned from my mom and dad was all about getting information and helping your community with the information and knowledge that you have,” said Greg.
12 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAR-APR 2022
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