Who is Kwanza Jones?

Kwanza Jones is a catalyst. She has many titles, including artist, impact investor, philanthropist, motivational speaker, consequential conversationalist, and CEO. Ask her about them and she’ll tell you that she may have many titles, but she only has one job: to boost humans and humanity. 

Kwanza was born in Los Angeles, California, on Thanksgiving Day. After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University, she furthered her education with a Master of Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law and a Juris Doctor from Cardozo School of Law. Kwanza was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the HBCU Bennett College.

In addition to a strong academic background, Kwanza is a skilled performer and a talented musical artist. Her performances and songs leave audiences uplifted and energized. Her music celebrates the power and strength of the human spirit, while also acknowledging challenges and obstacles. Whether she’s writing and recording songs that address women’s rights, democracy, or gun violence, her message-driven music addresses social issues and makes a positive impact.

What Does Kwanza Jones Do?

Kwanza Jones is on a mission to boost a billion lives. Her goal is to help as many people as possible to be the best that they can be.

To create a world where everyone is their SUPERCHARGED® selves, living their best lives, Kwanza puts all her effort into boosting as many people as possible. She believes that it is her duty to use her resources as a catalyzing positive force for good.

How Does Kwanza Jones Create Impact?

Her life’s work lives at the intersection of culture, community, and capital. Kwanza empowers individuals and communities by fostering positive change and equity through energetic cultural empowerment, community engagement, and intentional capital investment.

Whether producing motivational media through her company SUPERCHARGED by Kwanza Jones, or sharing an action-inspiring message from the stage or in the boardroom, Kwanza uses her art and access to amplify voices and issues that may otherwise not be heard. 

Kwanza, along with her life and business partner, José E. Feliciano, founded the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative, a philanthropic grant-making and investment organization that strategically partners with nonprofits and for-profits to ensure maximum impact. The initiative focuses on four pillars - education, entrepreneurship, equity, and empowerment - as providing access to capital in these areas leads to greater and more equitable advances and societal progress. Over $200 million has been committed to these efforts.

Career Highlights

  • Taught cross-cultural negotiation as an adjunct professor at New York University in 1998.
  • Served as a court-appointed mediator for the New York City Civil Court.
  • Founded Innovation Entertainment Group (IEG Media) in 2008, an entertainment and lifestyle media company focused on the production of inspiring, transformational content and experiences in the fitness, wellness, and empowerment spaces.
  • Became an accomplished recording artist with multiple chart-topping hits like “Think Again” and “Turn it Up,” reaching the top 10 on the Billboard music charts. 
  • Co-Founded the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative in 2014 with her partner in business and life, José E. Feliciano.
  • Co-founded the LA Tech Cares Initiative with Brett Brewer and Brian Lee in 2020 to boost opportunities for students in underserved communities.

Awards & Honors

  • Impact Award from Independence School Alliance in 2023.
  • 2023 Social Impact Award from SoLa Impact.
  • In May 2023, Princeton unveiled two residence halls named after Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano, the first buildings in the university's history named after Black and Latino donors.
  • Recognized by the Cardozo School of Law's Black Asian Latino Law Student Association (BALLSA) for inspiring excellence throughout the world with her leadership and commitment to equity and inclusion.
  • Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano were honored with the “Champions of Excellence Award” from Oliver Scholars in 2024.
  • Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano were honored with the “Industry Titan Award” at the Silicon Valley Bank Catalyst 2045: Innovators & Icons Awards. It was presented to the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative.
  • The Annenberg Foundation honored Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano with the Limited Partner Catalyst Award in Los Angeles. It was presented by Mayor Karen Bass in recognition of their significant investments in underrepresented fund managers across California, by way of the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative.