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Established in 2019 by its namesake, James Jones, the James Jones Gymnastics Academy (JJGA) just outside of Jonesboro, Georgia, is more than just a gym—it’s a vital community hub and a place for young Black boys to find a home in a sport where they have been historically underrepresented.
The academy’s mission is to provide an affordable and accessible gymnastics program to boys aged 5 and up. The academy serves those particularly from underserved communities. By doing so, it not only fosters physical fitness but also builds confidence and a sense of belonging.
The Black Wall Street Times spoke with Jones about his gymnastics program and how it’s meeting the community’s needs.
“I start at five. Now, over the years, there have been a few younger kids from parents who thought that their kid was gifted. So I’ve had some three and four year olds too,” said Jones.
Jones continued, “This season, our oldest kid was in the eleventh grade, aged 17.”
From a Dream to a Movement: A Gymnastics Journey
Jones, an attorney by trade, was inspired to create the academy after realizing there was a significant lack of opportunities for boys’ gymnastics in his area. Having wanted to do gymnastics as a child but being unable to afford it, Jones took it upon himself to create a space where cost wouldn’t be a barrier.
“It’s been a big evolution for the community that the gym is located in,” he explained.
“Parents will come in and they will say, ‘I never would have thought that there would be a gymnastics program here.'” He furthered, “‘or you normally don’t see this on this side of town.'”
“I think that the neighborhood that we’ve been in, it’s been an eye opener for some, and it’s been refreshing for others.” Jones continued, “Some kids in the neighborhood have been able to participate in the program they likely wouldn’t have been able to participate in if it wasn’t located here. For the kids who have gotten in the program and excelled, I think that’s one of the evolutions for our neighborhood, our program and the sport itself because now everyone expects there to be black kids at competitions.”
The academy operates on an income-based tuition model, and through dedicated fundraising and a scholarship program, many students can train for free.
This commitment to affordability has allowed the academy to serve hundreds of boys since its inception, offering them a chance to participate in a sport that would otherwise be out of reach.
The academy’s longevity has been a testament to the students’ determination and Jones’s elite coaching prowess.
“I try to remove all barriers”
“I try to remove all barriers so that any kid who wants to participate can participate,” said Jones.
He explained, “But even with that, there are barriers. So in doing the program, even in making it free or making it a reduced cost, one thing that we have to realize is a lot of the families may not have a car, or they have one car, and a family member, say, their father’s working and their mother’s at home, the mother may not have the car to bring them to practice, even if it’s free.”
“If cost is an issue, I try to work with the family to make sure that that’s not an issue,” Jones stated.
“Last season, we had a family who was in our specialized reduced or free rate program. They couldn’t afford the trip that the team was taking, so I did a fundraiser for them. So it’s just about finding ways to get around barriers; but there are always barriers,” said Jones.
Despite being the “underdogs” and lacking full-sized competition equipment, the team has achieved remarkable success.
It has culminated in a first-place finish at a season opener—a competition they had placed last the year before.
This victory was a powerful moment, not just for the gymnastics team but for the broader community, demonstrating the potential within these young athletes when given the right support.
Children excel despite circumstances
Asked what has been the most rewarding part of the gymnastics journey, Jones replied, “This is a program that didn’t and doesn’t have the same resources as other programs, and we’ve had children who’ve done very, very well.”
“We’ve had one athlete who went to Future Stars, which is a very prestigious competition program in boys gymnastics. He made our regional future stars team for the United States,” said Jones.
He continued, “We have had several kids place in our national championship program through the National Gymnastics Association. Also, we’ve had four boys that have been part of the National Gymnastics Association training team.”
“The boys have won six invitationals. I believe four were in Georgia and two were in Louisiana.” Jones furthered, “So they are showing that even though the program may not have the resources, their dedication is propelling them to still compete with other teams, and in many instances win, and that’s been rewarding.”
“A common misconception that people may have about the program is because we’re small, because we’re in Clayton County, because we’re in a Black area, a lot of people may feel that this is just another after school program, or this is just an activity.” Jones clarifies, “It is an activity, and many kids come after school, but this is a competitive training program.”
A Fight for the Future
Jones has been searching for a new location within Clayton County to maintain accessibility for his students. However, he has faced significant roadblocks due to stringent zoning laws that prevent him from relocating to suitable, yet affordably priced, warehouses.
The struggle to find a new home has garnered significant attention and support. Public figures like Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and actress Viola Davis have contributed to a GoFundMe campaign.
The fight to save the James Jones Gymnastics Academy is a fight for the future of its athletes. It’s a space where they can grow the visibility of Black males in the world of competitive gymnastics.
Hundreds of kids have been supported by the gymnastics program
The Clayton County Board of Commissioners honored Jones and his gymnastics team with a proclamation during its July meeting. It celebrated the team’s recent victory at the Louisiana State Championships.
Despite only having been in action for nearly six years, the gymnastics team has become a pillar of its community. Around 600 boys and teens have participated in his academy for free or reduced rates.
