SU graduate appointed executive director of BR community organization

On November 13, Southern University marketing graduate Keli Jones was named Executive Director of RiZ Up Louisiana.
“This is a great feeling to give back to the community as the community gave to me when I was in school,” Jones said.
RiZ Up Louisiana is a community faith-based non-profit organization in Baton Rouge that was created to promote the emotional, social, economic and physical well being of children, youth and adults throughout the state.
According to Jones, “Rise Up” Louisiana is spelled inversely to RiZ Up Louisiana because the organization expects different result with every child that seeks services from the organization.
“Southern University is known for its jazzy and sophisticated organizations and social events,” she said, “but RiZ Up Louisiana offers more than just a great time, it also extends a helping hand throughout the Baton Rouge community.”
Jones said she owes thanks to the Southern University professors and faculty who helped her achieve her goals and prepared her to learn what she needed to know to become successful.
“I had very excellent professors,” Jones said. “(They) equipped me with the knowledge of learning, leadership skills, moral character and general ‘talks’ of life.”
So what will Jones being doing now as the organization’s executive director?
“My duties consist of supervisor of daily operations within the organization, organizing fundraisers for RiZ Up Louisiana and continuing to be a leader for the younger generation,” she said.
With future plans for enhancing the generation on campus and youth throughout the Baton Rouge community, Jones said the organization would like to collaborate with other organizations and foundations at Southern University to uplift the youth in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas.
Currently, RiZ Up Louisiana offers programs like Reaching Community with Abstinence, Youth Instruction and Empowered Leadership Development Program as well as many others.
According to Jones, the youth need role models and although they desire to do better, they do not have anyone to direct them in the right path of life.
“Who is to say that you may just be that person to change the direction of their lives,” she said.
For more information about RiZ Up Louisiana or information on volunteering, please call (225) 778-7875 or visit the website, www.rizupla.org