Rooted in Purpose: Jennifer Jones Austin on Perseverance, Equity, and Economic Dignity

Jennifer reflects on her journey from growing up as the daughter of civil rights leader Rev. William Augustus Jones Jr. to overcoming a life-threatening battle with leukemia—experiences that shaped her deep commitment to justice, service, and systemic change. Together, she and Greg explore the concept of “structural economic deprivation” and why outdated poverty measures fail working people.

They dig into the policies and systemic barriers that make “work not worth it” for too many New Yorkers—low wages, benefits cliffs, inaccessible child care, and the invisible costs of trauma—and make the case for a new framework that centers advocacy, wraparound supports, and trauma-informed care as workforce essentials. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes in creating systems that work for all New Yorkers, not just a few. Thank you to Jennifer for sharing her story, her vision, and her unwavering belief in the power of collective action.

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