Lisa Jones
Encyclopedia
Lisa Jones is the daughter of poets Hettie Jones
and Amiri Baraka
(formerly known as LeRoi Jones). Her sister, Dr. Kellie Jones, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art History and Archaeology at Columbia University.
Jones grew up in New York City
and Newark, New Jersey
. She graduated from Yale University
and received a MFA in Film from New York University
. She joined the staff of the Village Voice in 1984 and wrote for the paper for fifteen years. Jones married Kenneth S. Brown in 2004 and their daughter was born in 2005.
Jones is best-known for her "Skin Trade" columns in the Village Voice, a selection of which were published as a book, Bulletproof Diva in 1994. She also co-wrote three books with Spike Lee
, all companion books to his films: Uplift the Race: The Construction of School Daze
, published in 1988, Do the Right Thing
, published in 1989, and Mo' Better Blues
, published in 1990. Jones published a memoir, Good Girl in a Bad Dress, in 1999. Her essays have been widely anthologized.
Jones wrote the plays Carmella & King Kong and Combination Skin while involved with the Rodeo Caldonia, a feminist collective of African American women artists. Combination Skin went on to premiere at Company One in Hartford, CT in 1992. The NY Times Theater review called her "a fresh talent" and praised her "all-consuming vision". Combination Skin was anthologized in Contemporary Plays by Women of Color. Jones also created three works for the New American Radio series of National Public Radio: Aunt Aida's Hand (1989), Stained (1991), and Ethnic Cleansing (1993). Aunt Aida's Hand and Stained were collaborations with Alva Rogers, who was also a Rodeo Caldonia member. In 1995, Jones and Rogers received a joint choreography and creator Bessie Award
for their collaborative work.
Hettie Jones
Hettie Jones is best known as the former wife of Amiri Baraka, known as LeRoi Jones at the time of their marriage, but is also a writer herself. They have two children, Kellie and Lisa Jones....
and Amiri Baraka
Amiri Baraka
Amiri Baraka , formerly known as LeRoi Jones, is an American writer of poetry, drama, fiction, essays, and music criticism...
(formerly known as LeRoi Jones). Her sister, Dr. Kellie Jones, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art History and Archaeology at Columbia University.
Jones grew up in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
. She graduated from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
and received a MFA in Film from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. She joined the staff of the Village Voice in 1984 and wrote for the paper for fifteen years. Jones married Kenneth S. Brown in 2004 and their daughter was born in 2005.
Jones is best-known for her "Skin Trade" columns in the Village Voice, a selection of which were published as a book, Bulletproof Diva in 1994. She also co-wrote three books with Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
, all companion books to his films: Uplift the Race: The Construction of School Daze
School Daze
School Daze is a 1988 American musical-drama film, written and directed by Spike Lee, and starring Laurence Fishburne, Giancarlo Esposito, and Tisha Campbell-Martin...
, published in 1988, Do the Right Thing
Do the Right Thing
Do the Right Thing is a 1989 American dramedy produced, written, and directed by Spike Lee, who is also a featured actor in the film. Other members of the cast include Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, and John Turturro. It is also notably the...
, published in 1989, and Mo' Better Blues
Mo' Better Blues
Mo' Better Blues is a 1990 drama film starring Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, and Spike Lee, who also directed. It follows a period in the life of a fictional jazz trumpeter Bleek Gilliam as a series of bad decisions result in his jeopardizing both his relationships and his playing career...
, published in 1990. Jones published a memoir, Good Girl in a Bad Dress, in 1999. Her essays have been widely anthologized.
Jones wrote the plays Carmella & King Kong and Combination Skin while involved with the Rodeo Caldonia, a feminist collective of African American women artists. Combination Skin went on to premiere at Company One in Hartford, CT in 1992. The NY Times Theater review called her "a fresh talent" and praised her "all-consuming vision". Combination Skin was anthologized in Contemporary Plays by Women of Color. Jones also created three works for the New American Radio series of National Public Radio: Aunt Aida's Hand (1989), Stained (1991), and Ethnic Cleansing (1993). Aunt Aida's Hand and Stained were collaborations with Alva Rogers, who was also a Rodeo Caldonia member. In 1995, Jones and Rogers received a joint choreography and creator Bessie Award
Bessie Awards
The New York Dance and Performance Awards, informally known as the Bessie Awards in honor of Bessie Schonberg, are awarded annually for innovative achievement in dance and related performances, particularly so-called "downtown" performances...
for their collaborative work.