We recently had the chance to connect with Mr. Ronald Jones II and have shared our conversation below.
Ronald, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, I’ve been immersing myself once again in curating African art—a passion that spans decades. My collection encompasses a diverse range of items, including masks, sculptures, and paintings of African royalty, as well as spiritual and ritual pieces, intricate textiles, traditional weapons, jewelry, books, reliquary works, musical instruments, and cultural adornments. Alongside these treasures, I’ve built a vast archive of African and African American heritage that also embraces a rich vinyl record library, sports memorabilia, and classic model cars. The result is one of the most inclusive and wide-ranging private collections celebrating the artistry, history, and resilience of the African diaspora.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Ronald Jones, and I like to think of myself as a cultural alchemist who transforms passion, history, and creativity into living legacies. For over thirty years, I’ve curated an expansive collection of African art and cultural artifacts, ranging from masks, sculptures, and textiles to ritual objects, reliquary pieces, and musical instruments. Each piece is a story, a thread in the vast tapestry of African and African American heritage. Today, I’m in the early stages of compiling a book that will showcase this collection, preserve its artistry, and ensure that the histories it carries are shared with the world.
My work as a curator is mirrored in another realm: the natural world. As the owner and operator of BlackBerry Landscaping, I practice permaculture gardening—designing landscapes that mimic nature’s own ecosystems. Just as my art collection honors the wisdom and beauty of cultural traditions, my gardens pay homage to the wisdom and resilience of the earth itself. Both passions are rooted in the same belief: that preservation, whether of heritage or habitat, is an act of care for future generations.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Being selected for the Neighborhood Leadership Fellows program was a transformative milestone in my journey as a community leader. The program is an advanced leadership initiative that’s supported by UMSL, MU Extension, and the St. Louis Promise Zone. It was created to amplify the voices of St. Louis City and North County residents in civic decision-making, ensuring that neighborhood perspectives directly shape regional policy.
Over the course of nine months, I received immersive, hands-on training in a range of areas, including policy and neighborhood development, communication strategy, civic leadership, and board governance. The fellowship also provided invaluable opportunities for mentorship, networking, and collaboration with other civic leaders.
Since completing NLF, I’ve had the privilege of serving on several boards, including the North Community Advisory Committee for Great Rivers Greenway and the JeffVanderLou Neighborhood Association. This experience not only deepened my commitment to public service but also inspired me to return to the University of Missouri–St. Louis to pursue my master’s in public policy administration, which I’m on track to complete in the Spring of 2026. For me, NLF was more than just leadership training—it was a launching pad to actively shape the future of my community.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
In December 2023, I faced one of the most devastating moments of my life. I lost my best friend of 27 years in a tragic auto accident in Kansas City, Missouri. Some teenagers had stolen a car and, in trying to outrun the police, caused a crash that ended his life in an instant. The news hit me like a wave I couldn’t see coming. I had just spoken to him earlier that day. Only a month before, we’d been in Los Angeles together, celebrating one of our fraternity brothers’ 50th birthday.
It was finals week, but suddenly, everything I’d studied that semester felt meaningless. My drive was gone. If it weren’t for the encouragement and support of Dr. Gerard Hollins, I’m not sure I would have made it through. I had to dig deep, pushing through the pain and tears—reminding myself that my best friend would have wanted me to keep going. In those quiet moments alone, I often recited a poem that has long stayed with me: The Test of a Man by Carlyle Straub:
The test of a man is the fight that he makes,
The grit that he daily shows,
The way he stands upon his feet,
And takes life’s numerous bumps and blows.
Those words became my anchor, reminding me that even in the face of unimaginable loss, I had to stand, fight, and keep moving forward.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to creating a Community Business District right in the heart of North St. Louis, no matter how long it takes. This became even more important after the tornado hit St. Louis on May 16, 2025, leaving a trail of destruction that caused trauma, grief, and displacement for so many long-time residents—especially in North St. Louis, where people were already facing economic challenges.
A CBD would provide the community with a space where local businesses, culture, and daily life intersect. It would create jobs, attract new investment, and, most importantly, bring hope and pride back to an area that has weathered numerous hardships. I’ve seen what’s possible. The Grove has evolved into a vibrant hub for entertainment and business. Macklind Business District brings neighbors and business owners together through events and shared projects. Cherokee Street is alive with art, music, and food. When you invest in the heart of a community, the whole area starts to thrive.
For North St. Louis, this isn’t just about opening a few new shops—it’s about building a lasting ecosystem where residents and businesses support one another, celebrate our culture, and create genuine opportunities. I’m in this for the long haul because I believe a strong CBD could be a turning point for the neighborhood, restoring not just its economy, but also the sense of hope and pride that makes a community feel whole again.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m fully immersed in the things that feed my soul and spark my curiosity. Working in the garden is one of those moments—there’s something grounding about tending to the soil, watching plants grow, and knowing that my care and patience will eventually yield something beautiful. It’s a quiet, meditative space where I can think, dream, and just be.
I also find peace in my lifelong love of African art. Whether I’m studying a piece’s history, appreciating its craftsmanship, or adding to my collection, it connects me to a rich cultural heritage that I’m passionate about sharing with others. It’s more than art—it’s storytelling, identity, and legacy all wrapped into one.
Then there’s the thrill of discovery—stumbling upon a cool antique store tucked away off the beaten path, where every item has a story and you never know what treasure you might uncover. And finally, I’m most at ease in the company of creative, passionate people who are unapologetically expressing their hobbies, interests, and ideas. Being in that kind of energy is inspiring, and it reminds me that creativity and connection are some of life’s greatest gifts.
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Image Credits
All photos were taken by me, except for the photo of the Neighborhood Leadership Fellows, which was pulled from. https://blogs.umsl.edu/news/2021/02/26/neighborhood-leadership-fellows/
