2026 - John Jones

Mr. John Jones, born in Buffalo, is the youngest of 3 sisters and 2 brothers. He attended South Park High School and graduated with an Individualized Education Program Diploma (IEP) in 2004. Committed to earning his high school equivalency diploma, he first enrolled at the Adult Learning Center and improved his academic scores. Enrolling at the Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center (BEOC), John studied math, reading, science and social studies. In 2016 John successfully earned his General Equivalency Diploma (GED). He says it took him over a decade to achieve this success. He credits all his educational experiences and BEOC faculty and staff for their belief in him and says, “Teachers and staff at the BEOC never gave up on me; they had expectations of me, so how could I give up on myself?”

Consulting and working with the BEOC College Connections Coordinator, John enrolled in SUNY Erie College (formerly Erie Community College) via the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). He started classes in 2017 and in 2023 earned his Associate of Science in General Studies with an overall GPA of 3.5, while working at the Parking Spot as a Customer Service Associate and Airport Shuttle Driver. As a SUNY Erie student, John was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and a member of the Men of Merit Program, an initiative promoting integrity among men of color.

John continued his academic pursuits and enrolled at Canisius University through the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). He was a Student Ambassador in the program and promoted HEOP opportunities to prospective students and their families during recruitment and outreach events; he also spoke about HEOP at his former school, South Park High School. John graduated from Canisius in December 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications and was a member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society and AZLANA Student Center.

John is an active community advocate. He dedicates volunteer time every 3^rd Saturday/month distributing food to “friends from the streets” at the Table of Grace Ministry through the Buffalo Dream Center.

John continues to work at the Parking Spot. He is considering becoming a City of Buffalo Firefighter.

The Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center, in recognition of John’s tenacity to excel and in recognition of his participation in HEOP initiatives and community volunteer service, awarded him the 2026 Arthur O. Eve Education and Community Service Award. This award honors the legacy of Mr. Eve, former Deputy Speaker of the NYS Assembly and spear header of the Educational Opportunity Centers and Educational Opportunity Programs throughout New York state.