Life & Work with Colleen Ivana Jones

Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Ivana Jones.  

Hi Colleen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I learned as a little girl that drowning myself in the art will forever be my great and safe escape. From literary arts to visual and performing, creation and enjoying the wonderful works of others has been nirvana- and even when I would stray, I have always found myself back in the arms of artistry for shelter. 

At 15 years old, I began working with an organization Urban Link Village (Detroit, MI) founded by Mr. Valentine (Anthony) and his wonderful wife Mrs. Valentine (Lutricia). It was Mr. Valentine’s vision for the potential he saw in me, and Mrs. Valentines’ nurture that I was able to blossom in the non-profit sector, specifically in academia and community advocacy. I worked with Urban Link Village for a wonderful decade (+). Here, I received lessons on lessons on blessings from so many who believed in me when I didn’t see it in myself fully. These consistent motivating factors in my life, from my biological family to acquired family and great friendships, pushed me through difficult times and my own hard head. 

That, coupled with my education at Wayne State University (B.S Business Management with a concentration in Organizational Development), my innate affinity for, and experience with, community uplift and education eventually propelled me to start my organization Lifted: Literacy and Arts. Where we debuted our first program at the Charles H. Wright Museum with the Juneteenth Jubilee Committee spearheaded by Sharea Ayers. From there, I took on the role of art director for this dynamic committee. In 2021 each committee member received a Spirit of Detroit Award for our Historic Stroll on the Fashion Ave (Livernois Ave, Detroit, MI) where we placed and paid over 20 local artists in the city of Detroit. 

Recently, I’ve also been working on my own projects sanctioning release through singing, songwriting, and poetry. I released a song under my artist’s name, Vonnie Pill, titled “Talking to the Noise,” and I look forward to releasing more music, and eventually books, that people can vibe, dance, and resonate with. 

Lifted: Literacy and Arts are growing immensely, at a rate that seems to be faster than I can keep up with myself, and I am more than humbled, honored, and appreciative of the support and consistent encouragement and collaboration with other organizations such as Netteworks Artistry Entertainment and more. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been anything but a smooth road. From having my otherworldly genius child, Gabriel Malik, and learning (still learning) how to balance being a single mother, entrepreneur, and artist to dealing with my own traumas and upbring as an adult that has yet to fully address it all (if that is even possible), I’ve had my obstacles and will continue to. The beauty in all is that I am always open to learning and correction- taking each lesson as a trophy of acquired wisdom. Absolutely nothing can stop me. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an artist (poet, singer/songwriter), host, community advocate, and developer, project and program director and implementation specialist, business consultant, curator, loctician (Luxana by Vonnie Pill), and founder of Lifted: Literacy and Arts, an organization that honors that holy matrimony between artistry, academia, and community uplift. 

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is that there is no such thing as failure and attention management is everything. Timing is divine, something we have absolutely no control over, and lessons are a necessity. I control the process, not the outcome, what is meant will absolutely always be. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @vonniepill, @liftedliteracyandarts
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/liftedliteracyandarts/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dAII8wBOgc

Image Credits
RJ and Cheryl Photography