My Story!
I’m Donald. A Law Professor at the University of Miami.
Donald Jones, originally from Baltimore, is a Law Professor at the University of Miami. His career focuses on issues of equal justice under law through scholarly work and public service. He is known for his contributions to legal theory and social equity. In 1997, Yale University awarded him the James Thomas Prize for his scholarship on civil rights.
As an educator, Professor Jones is celebrated for his innovative teaching methods that challenge students to think critically about complex societal issues. His courses often delve into the philosophical underpinnings of the law, encouraging active dialogue and fostering a deep sense of civic responsibility among his students.
Professor Jones has authored four books: Race, Sex and Suspicion; The Myth of the Black Male (2005), Fear of a Hip-Hop Planet: America’s New Dilemma (2013), Dangerous Spaces: Beyond the Racial Profile (2016), and The Presumption: Racial Injustice in the United States (2024). His writings examine the complicated intersection of race and law. The deep underlying concern that drives Professor Jones writing is the continuing gulf between formal equal opportunity and the plight of blacks and other people of color, particularly in urban areas
Professor Jones regularly discusses civil and political rights issues at local and national levels, often appearing on television. He contributes to THE MIAMI HERALD and THE SOUTH FLORIDA TIMES.
Professor Jones has led many civil rights initiatives. He was hired by Miami-Dade County to draft a plan for minority inclusion in county contracting some years ago, and later was hired to review the City of Miami’s deadly force policy. He has since frequently advised the Miami-Dade County School Board on inclusion programs for minority businesses.
Professor Jones has lectured nationally for many organizations including the American Bar Association, the Law and Society Association, the National Bar Association, The Florida Association of State Judges, and The National NAACP Convention. In 2009 Professor Jones was voted one of the most influential blacks in South Florida by success magazine
He has delivered lectures and talks at universities such as Harvard, Yale, University of Michigan, University of Honolulu, University of Denver, and FIU. His international lectures have taken place at institutions such as the University of Berlin, the University of Vienna, Charles University in the Czech Republic, the University of Rome, and the University of Barcelona. He remains a speaker at various universities.
His work has not only influenced policies but also inspired a new generation of scholars and activists to engage in meaningful social change. Professor Jones’s dedication to civil rights has earned accolades from peers and communities alike, showcasing his ability to bridge academic insight with practical advocacy. His expertise is sought nationally, and his collaborations often result in progressive reforms that push boundaries and challenge societal norms.
