[WardFive] FW: Death of Eric Jones

For Immediate Release

Contact: Meta Williams, 202 925 6798

 

HSCDC and the District Mourn the Loss of Eric P. Jones

 

Washington, D.C., January 16, 2020 - It is with great sadness that we announce that Eric P. Jones died yesterday. The staff of H Street Community Development Corporation (HSCDC) is devastated by and mourns this loss of a true soldier of social justice and a valuable member of our team. We offer our deepest condolences to his wife Josephine, daughter Lisa, sons Eric Dubois and Paul Toure' and grandchildren Michael, Michelle and Dylana, as well as all who loved and cherished Mr. Jones.

 

Mr. Jones was part of the foundation and creation of HSCDC and was also the longest serving staff member to John A. Wilson, former Chairman of the DC City Council and City Councilman representing Ward 2. Chairman Wilson was one of the founders of HSCDC.

 

"We are shocked and saddened by this loss. Eric Jones has been the person who has had the most influence and helped me to become the man I am today.  His impact on the fight for freedom and self-determination for the District is beyond measure" said Ken Brewer, CEO of HSCDC. "His wisdom and deep understanding of business deals has been a key ingredient to the success of HSCDC."

 

Mr. Jones' name is now enshrined on the list of trailblazers who made history and laid the foundation for the DC Government as we know it today. Mr. Jones met Chairman Wilson when they both participated in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in the 1960s. Mr. Jones became John Wilson's close advisor as they were both in SNCC with luminaries such as Marion Barry, Ivanhoe Donaldson, Bernard Demczuk, Lawrence Guyot, Charlie Cobb, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Dorrie and Joyce Ladner.

 

Mr. Jones was there in 1969 when Wilson moved to Washington, D.C. to become the legislative director for the National Sharecropper's Fund, an advocacy group for migrant farm workers and helped run its Washington office for six years. Mr. Jones was on the front lines of the battle in 1971 when Wilson was co-chairman for the campaign of Walter E. Fauntroy, who became the city's first delegate to Congress. Mr. Jones then led the team that supported John Wilson when he ran successfully for the DC City Council in 1974.

 

"I met Eric when John was elected to the DC City Council and they always stayed connected to the people in the community. I'm a proud native Washingtonian who has seen a lot of people come and go, and Eric was one of the kindest and most caring people I have ever known" said HSCDC Board Chair Wallacetine Taliaferro-Curtis.

 

District residents can thank Mr. Jones for his role in the drive to approve the referendum to adopt the Home Rule Charter for the District, which allowed residents for the first time to elect both a mayor and a 13-member city council. After approval of the charter in 1974, Mr. Jones was there when Wilson successfully ran for election to the council, representing Ward 2, which at that time was the most diverse ward in the city. He was also there when then Councilman Wilson envisioned that the H Street N.E. corridor in the District would rebound and rebuild, and Mr. Jones helped him to create HSCDC using a unique model tailored to the needs of the community through commercial development.

 

Following his long and outstanding service to the DC Government, he continued his career at HSCDC. Mr. Jones was a key member of the team at HSCDC that created jobs, generated business prosperity, and achieved visible improvements at blighted properties in the community. He was one of the leaders who helped HSCDC revitalize economically troubled neighborhoods by developing housing and commercial projects. He had a unique understanding of the commercial real estate business and his long record of service and relationships in the District was a major reason why HSCDC has a strong portfolio and reputation in affordable housing and economic development in underserved communities.

 

Mr. Jones looked forward to all that 2020 had in store for affordable housing in the District and it is HSCDCs firm commitment to help bring his ideas to fruition in the coming year and to continue his legacy of service to the community and to others. Funeral arrangements are in progress and info will be provided on the HSCDC website. www.hstreetcdc.org

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Kenneth J. Brewer, Sr. [mailto:kenneth.brewer@hstreetcdc.org]
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2020 1:25 PM

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