Veteran communications strategist and public relations practitioner Rae Jones has been tapped to take the helm as executive director of Great Beginnings for Black Babies (GBBB), Los Angeles’ premier nonprofit organization dedicated to the healthy development and growth of African American babies and their families.
Bringing more than 35 years experience to the organization, under the auspices of her own company, RAEDIANT Communication, Ms. Jones has served a variety of locally-based nonprofit organizations including Special Needs Network, Inc.; California Legislative Black Caucus Foundation; the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce; Jenesse Center, Inc., Excel Family Intervention Programs; Unity One Foundation, Inc.; the Leimert Park Village Book Fair; and, the African Marketplace and Cultural Faire, among others.
A Chicago native, Ms. Jones previously served as Director of Communications to (the late) Chicago Mayor Harold Washington; as an assistant press secretary in the Mayor’s office; and as public relations director for Malcolm X College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago.
She also previously worked for seven years in the corporate communications department of Allstate Insurance Company, as a news reporter, and also as managing editor of a Chicago-based newspaper.
In Los Angeles, Ms. Jones has served as Public Affairs Director of Children’s Bureau of Southern California and Director of Public Relations and Communications for the Pasadena-based Art Center College of Design, in addition to service she has provided many other locally based nonprofit organizations.
Founded in 1990 to promote the healthy development and growth of babies, children and families with a primary goal of reducing infant mortality by providing opportunities for African American women to seek early and continuous prenatal care, Great Beginnings for Black Babies has been headed by co-founder, Zola Jones, who has served as executive director for most of the 19 years of its existence. Nonprofit specialist and former GBBB Board member LaQueeta Shamblee served as interim executive director this year through the search for a permanent executive director.
Offering programs including Black Infant Health, Healthy Moms and Babies, the Fatherhood Initiative and school-based teen pregnancy intervention and prevention after school programs, GBBB employs a comprehensive approach that integrates social, clinical and economic components toward eradicating the infant mortality problem plaguing Black communities.
“We are confident that Ms. Rae Jones has the experience and expertise to take Great Beginnings to the next level,” commented former Executive Director Zola Jones.
The proud mother of two, Kwesi and Kai, Ms. Jones understands the importance of delivering healthy babies. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as executive director of an organization with such a stellar reputation for adhering to the goals and objectives of its mission” she commented. “I understand, appreciate, and respect what they have done over the years and intend to utilize all of the expertise and resources I have acquired to move the organization even further,” she said.
For additional information on GBBB call 323.789.7955 or visit its website at www.gbbb.org.