Who's Who in the Black LGBT Community

BET showcases men and women of pride: prominent members of the gay community.

Anthony Woods - The West Point graduate led two combat units in Iraq and received a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government before being discharged for coming out as gay. He is running in a special election in California's 10th Congressional District where he grew up. If elected, he will become the first Black openly gay representative in Congress.

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Anthony Woods - The West Point graduate led two combat units in Iraq and received a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government before being discharged for coming out as gay. He is running in a special election in California's 10th Congressional District where he grew up. If elected, he will become the first Black openly gay representative in Congress.

Hanifah Walidah - Walidah is a hip-hop artist, playwright, actor, music video maker, and filmmaker. She is a part of the renowned Brooklyn Funk Essentials.

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Hanifah Walidah - Walidah is a hip-hop artist, playwright, actor, music video maker, and filmmaker. She is a part of the renowned Brooklyn Funk Essentials.

Lee Daniels - Philadelphia native Lee Daniels is an actor, film producer and director. He is best known for directing the critically acclaimed film “Precious,” which was nominated for six Academy Awards. Daniels was nominated for Best Director; It was the second time an African American received a nomination in that category. He also produced “Monster’s Ball.”

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Lee Daniels - Philadelphia native Lee Daniels is an actor, film producer and director. He is best known for directing the critically acclaimed film “Precious,” which was nominated for six Academy Awards. Daniels was nominated for Best Director; It was the second time an African American received a nomination in that category. He also produced “Monster’s Ball.”

Sheryl Swoopes - Sheryl Denise Swoopes was the first player to be signed in the WNBA when it was created. She has won three Olympic gold medals and is a three-time WNBA most valuable player. Frequently referred to as the "female Michael Jordan," Swoopes is famous for her offensive and defensive skills. In 2005, she averaged 18.6 points, 4.3 assists, 2.65 steals, and she shot 85 percent from the free-throw line while averaging 37.1 minutes playing time per game.

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Sheryl Swoopes - Sheryl Denise Swoopes was the first player to be signed in the WNBA when it was created. She has won three Olympic gold medals and is a three-time WNBA most valuable player. Frequently referred to as the "female Michael Jordan," Swoopes is famous for her offensive and defensive skills. In 2005, she averaged 18.6 points, 4.3 assists, 2.65 steals, and she shot 85 percent from the free-throw line while averaging 37.1 minutes playing time per game.

Wanda Sykes - Sykes used her anger and disappointment in California's Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage there, as an opportunity to come out. "I am proud to be gay!" Wanda declared at a gay rally in Las Vegas last year. She also announced to the world that she's married to a woman. This year, she became the first African American and the first "out" lesbian to get the role as featured entertainer for the 2009 White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

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Wanda Sykes - Sykes used her anger and disappointment in California's Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage there, as an opportunity to come out. "I am proud to be gay!" Wanda declared at a gay rally in Las Vegas last year. She also announced to the world that she's married to a woman. This year, she became the first African American and the first "out" lesbian to get the role as featured entertainer for the 2009 White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

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Jass Stewart - In 2005, Jass Stewart ran a highly touted campaign for mayor of Brockton, Mass. As a first-time candidate, he earned 44 percent of the vote and increased voter turnout by 19 percent. Last year, he became a city councilman in his hometown. In addition to being one of the youngest executives in the history of Blackside (producers of the public television series Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years), Stewart also taught classes at Boston University.

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Jass Stewart - In 2005, Jass Stewart ran a highly touted campaign for mayor of Brockton, Mass. As a first-time candidate, he earned 44 percent of the vote and increased voter turnout by 19 percent. Last year, he became a city councilman in his hometown. In addition to being one of the youngest executives in the history of Blackside (producers of the public television series Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years), Stewart also taught classes at Boston University.

Doug Spearman - Spearman's career as an actor includes work on such TV shows as "Star Trek Voyager," "The Drew Carey Show," "The Hughleys," "Charmed,"and "Girlfriends." Spearman recently co-starred on the LOGO hit show Noah's Arc, in which he played Chance Counter, an out black gay college professor.

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Doug Spearman - Spearman's career as an actor includes work on such TV shows as "Star Trek Voyager," "The Drew Carey Show," "The Hughleys," "Charmed,"and "Girlfriends." Spearman recently co-starred on the LOGO hit show Noah's Arc, in which he played Chance Counter, an out black gay college professor.

Sabrina Sojourner - Sojourner is the first open lesbian to be elected to the United States Congress. Having been elected by a whopping 83 percent of the vote, Sabrina represented the District of Columbia in the U.S. House of Representatives, where in her non-voting position she lobbied not only for Statehood for the District of Columbia, but impacted other legislators on a whole spectrum of issues. She served from 1997-1999.

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Sabrina Sojourner - Sojourner is the first open lesbian to be elected to the United States Congress. Having been elected by a whopping 83 percent of the vote, Sabrina represented the District of Columbia in the U.S. House of Representatives, where in her non-voting position she lobbied not only for Statehood for the District of Columbia, but impacted other legislators on a whole spectrum of issues. She served from 1997-1999.

Denise Simmons - Denise Simmons is the first African-American open lesbian to be elected mayor of an American city. Simmons, now leading Cambridge, Mass., after serving on the City Council since 2001, follows in the footsteps of former Mayor Ken Reeves. Reeves made history on a local and national levels, becoming Cambridge's first African-American mayor and the nation's first openly gay, Black mayor.

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Denise Simmons - Denise Simmons is the first African-American open lesbian to be elected mayor of an American city. Simmons, now leading Cambridge, Mass., after serving on the City Council since 2001, follows in the footsteps of former Mayor Ken Reeves. Reeves made history on a local and national levels, becoming Cambridge's first African-American mayor and the nation's first openly gay, Black mayor.

Dana Rone - Rone is the first Black lesbian elected in New Jersey when she won the first of two terms on Newark's school board. She is currently serving a four-year term on the city council.

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Dana Rone - Rone is the first Black lesbian elected in New Jersey when she won the first of two terms on Newark's school board. She is currently serving a four-year term on the city council.

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Toshi Reagan - Over the course of her career, she's released eight albums, appeared on “The L Word” and shared the stage with Ani DiFranco and Elvis Costello. Reagan jumped into the spotlight when she dropped out of college after Lenny Kravitz tapped her to open for him on his first world tour.

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Toshi Reagan - Over the course of her career, she's released eight albums, appeared on “The L Word” and shared the stage with Ani DiFranco and Elvis Costello. Reagan jumped into the spotlight when she dropped out of college after Lenny Kravitz tapped her to open for him on his first world tour.

Ken Reeves - Reeves is the first openly gay African-American man to have served as mayor of any city in the United States. The Harvard College and University of Michigan Law School graduate was mayor of Cambridge, Mass.

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Ken Reeves - Reeves is the first openly gay African-American man to have served as mayor of any city in the United States. The Harvard College and University of Michigan Law School graduate was mayor of Cambridge, Mass.

Patrik-Ian Polk - Patrik-Ian Polk is the creator, producer and lead writer of the acclaimed Logo TV series “Noah’s Arc,” which is often described as “Sex and the City” with gay characters. “Noah’s Arc” is about four Black gay men living in Los Angeles. He is also the director behind the groundbreaking Black gay feature film “Punks.”

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Patrik-Ian Polk - Patrik-Ian Polk is the creator, producer and lead writer of the acclaimed Logo TV series “Noah’s Arc,” which is often described as “Sex and the City” with gay characters. “Noah’s Arc” is about four Black gay men living in Los Angeles. He is also the director behind the groundbreaking Black gay feature film “Punks.”

Felicia "Snoop" Pearson - Felicia "Snoop" Pearson is an actress, author and rapper, known for her role on the HBO series “The Wire” as a character named after herself.

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Felicia "Snoop" Pearson - Felicia "Snoop" Pearson is an actress, author and rapper, known for her role on the HBO series “The Wire” as a character named after herself.

Rahsaan Patterson - Named after 60's jazz saxophonist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Rahsaan Patterson's singing and songwriting style are reminiscent of Stevie Wonder,while his voice has also drawn comparisons to Chaka Khan. His credits include Brandy's platinum Top 5 smash "Baby", and Tevin Campbell's hit "Back to the World".

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Rahsaan Patterson - Named after 60's jazz saxophonist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Rahsaan Patterson's singing and songwriting style are reminiscent of Stevie Wonder,while his voice has also drawn comparisons to Chaka Khan. His credits include Brandy's platinum Top 5 smash "Baby", and Tevin Campbell's hit "Back to the World".

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Ron Oden - Oden is an openly gay politician. In November 2003, he was elected the mayor of Palm Springs, Calif., after serving eight years on its city council. He is the father of two daughters and the grandfather of two girls and one boy.

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Ron Oden - Oden is an openly gay politician. In November 2003, he was elected the mayor of Palm Springs, Calif., after serving eight years on its city council. He is the father of two daughters and the grandfather of two girls and one boy.

Me'shell Ndegéocello - The daughter of a devotedly religious mother and a strict military father, Me'shell Ndegéocello is a singer, songwriter, rapper, bassist, and multi-instrumentalist. The music press has hailed her as a redeemer of soul music. Her music incorporates funk, soul, hip hop, reggae, R&B, rock and jazz. She has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards.

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Me'shell Ndegéocello - The daughter of a devotedly religious mother and a strict military father, Me'shell Ndegéocello is a singer, songwriter, rapper, bassist, and multi-instrumentalist. The music press has hailed her as a redeemer of soul music. Her music incorporates funk, soul, hip hop, reggae, R&B, rock and jazz. She has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards.

Neb Luv - While presently pursuing a solo recording deal, she has achieved well-deserved respect and recognition for her association with Warren G, her producer on Da 5 Footaz LP released on Restless Records. Neb appeared on the “Set it Off” soundtrack single, "The Heist” and the “Jason’s Lyric” soundtrack single, “Walk Away.” She also appeared in the Def Pictures feature film, "The Show" and has toured internationally as the opening act for Warren G and The Fugees, and appeared on “BET’s ComicView.”

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Neb Luv - While presently pursuing a solo recording deal, she has achieved well-deserved respect and recognition for her association with Warren G, her producer on Da 5 Footaz LP released on Restless Records. Neb appeared on the “Set it Off” soundtrack single, "The Heist” and the “Jason’s Lyric” soundtrack single, “Walk Away.” She also appeared in the Def Pictures feature film, "The Show" and has toured internationally as the opening act for Warren G and The Fugees, and appeared on “BET’s ComicView.”

Mélange Lavonne - Lavonne, who is an outspoken lesbian hip-hop artist, uses her mic to talk about important issues, especially within the LGBT community. In the video for "Gay Bash," the out MC calls out those who hated her friend Kevin enough to kill him, when they didn't even know him.

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Mélange Lavonne - Lavonne, who is an outspoken lesbian hip-hop artist, uses her mic to talk about important issues, especially within the LGBT community. In the video for "Gay Bash," the out MC calls out those who hated her friend Kevin enough to kill him, when they didn't even know him.

Maurice Jamal - Maurice Jamal is a director-writer-producer, who is the creative mind behind the landmark Logo Network film "The Ski Trip" and the award-winning family comedy drama "Dirty Laundry." His first break was on the feature film “Spider-Man,” and in a short period he developed a lengthy and impressive list of credits, most notably the Comedy Central smash hit "Chappelle’s Show" – both in front and behind the camera.

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Maurice Jamal - Maurice Jamal is a director-writer-producer, who is the creative mind behind the landmark Logo Network film "The Ski Trip" and the award-winning family comedy drama "Dirty Laundry." His first break was on the feature film “Spider-Man,” and in a short period he developed a lengthy and impressive list of credits, most notably the Comedy Central smash hit "Chappelle’s Show" – both in front and behind the camera.

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E. Lynn Harris - The late E. Lynn Harris was an openly gay author, most known for his depictions of African-American men on the down low or in the closet. Harris was initially unable to land a book deal with a reputable publishing house for his first work, “Invisible Life,” so he self-published it through a vanity publisher and sold copies from his car trunk. Since then, five of his novels have achieved New York Times bestseller status. He died in 2009.

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E. Lynn Harris - The late E. Lynn Harris was an openly gay author, most known for his depictions of African-American men on the down low or in the closet. Harris was initially unable to land a book deal with a reputable publishing house for his first work, “Invisible Life,” so he self-published it through a vanity publisher and sold copies from his car trunk. Since then, five of his novels have achieved New York Times bestseller status. He died in 2009.

James Earl Hardy - James Earl Hardy is best known as the author of the B-Boy Blues series that includes: B-Boy Blues, 2ND Time Around and If Only for One Nite. The series is credited with launching the Afrocentric, gay, hip-hop love genre. Hardy also has written for Essence, Newsweek, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, The Advocate and Source.

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James Earl Hardy - James Earl Hardy is best known as the author of the B-Boy Blues series that includes: B-Boy Blues, 2ND Time Around and If Only for One Nite. The series is credited with launching the Afrocentric, gay, hip-hop love genre. Hardy also has written for Essence, Newsweek, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, The Advocate and Source.

Angela Davis - Angela Davis, an American socialist organizer and professor once associated with the Black Panther Party, first achieved nationwide notoriety when she was linked to the murder of Judge Harold Haley during an attempted prison break. She was a fugitive but was eventually captured, arrested, tried; she was then acquitted in one of the most famous trials in recent history. She is now a professor of history at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

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Angela Davis - Angela Davis, an American socialist organizer and professor once associated with the Black Panther Party, first achieved nationwide notoriety when she was linked to the murder of Judge Harold Haley during an attempted prison break. She was a fugitive but was eventually captured, arrested, tried; she was then acquitted in one of the most famous trials in recent history. She is now a professor of history at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Kecia Cunningham - Cunningham is serving her fourth term on the Decatur, Ga., City Council. The African-American lesbian first won in 1999 and has since run unopposed.

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Kecia Cunningham - Cunningham is serving her fourth term on the Decatur, Ga., City Council. The African-American lesbian first won in 1999 and has since run unopposed.

Wilson Cruz - Actor Wilson Cruz came out at the age of 19 and then went to Hollywood to try to start an acting career. He was successful, and has starred in a number of stage, TV and film productions.

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Wilson Cruz - Actor Wilson Cruz came out at the age of 19 and then went to Hollywood to try to start an acting career. He was successful, and has starred in a number of stage, TV and film productions.

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Miss Cleo - Youree Dell Harris, better known as Miss Cleo, is a self-proclaimed psychic and shaman who achieved fame as spokeswoman in television ads which aired during the late 1990s and early 2000s. In those ads, she hawked a psychic pay-per-call service. As of 2007, Cleo offers private psychic consultations and other services through Wahgwaan Entertainment, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Miss Cleo - Youree Dell Harris, better known as Miss Cleo, is a self-proclaimed psychic and shaman who achieved fame as spokeswoman in television ads which aired during the late 1990s and early 2000s. In those ads, she hawked a psychic pay-per-call service. As of 2007, Cleo offers private psychic consultations and other services through Wahgwaan Entertainment, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Staceyann Chin - Staceyann Chin is a full-time artist and has been an “out poet and political activist” since 1998. Having drawn rousing cheers from the Nuyorican Poets' café, one-woman shows Off- Broadway, poetry workshops in Denmark and London, and as a co-writer and performer in the Tony-nominated, Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam, Chin credits the long list of "things she has done" to her grandmother's hard-working history and the pain of her mother's absence.

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Staceyann Chin - Staceyann Chin is a full-time artist and has been an “out poet and political activist” since 1998. Having drawn rousing cheers from the Nuyorican Poets' café, one-woman shows Off- Broadway, poetry workshops in Denmark and London, and as a co-writer and performer in the Tony-nominated, Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam, Chin credits the long list of "things she has done" to her grandmother's hard-working history and the pain of her mother's absence.

Jasmyne Cannick - Award-winning journalist, Jasmyne Cannick is known for addressing the issues that others can't or simply won't. She is a critic and commentator based in Los Angeles who addresses the intersection of race, class, religion and gender in the African-American community as played out in today's pop culture and politics. She was selected as one of ESSENCE magazine's 25 Women Shaping the World.

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Jasmyne Cannick - Award-winning journalist, Jasmyne Cannick is known for addressing the issues that others can't or simply won't. She is a critic and commentator based in Los Angeles who addresses the intersection of race, class, religion and gender in the African-American community as played out in today's pop culture and politics. She was selected as one of ESSENCE magazine's 25 Women Shaping the World.

Gordon Chambers - Chambers is a soul music veteran, but is principally known as a songwriter. Over the past dozen years the Jamaican-born Chambers has penned tunes for a virtual Who's Who of modern urban adult contemporary singers, including Whitney Houston, Heather Headley, Carl Thomas, Stephanie Mills, Gladys Knight, Gerald LeVert and Phyllis Hyman. He also earned a songwriting Grammy Award in 1995 for Anita Baker's "I Apologize."

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Gordon Chambers - Chambers is a soul music veteran, but is principally known as a songwriter. Over the past dozen years the Jamaican-born Chambers has penned tunes for a virtual Who's Who of modern urban adult contemporary singers, including Whitney Houston, Heather Headley, Carl Thomas, Stephanie Mills, Gladys Knight, Gerald LeVert and Phyllis Hyman. He also earned a songwriting Grammy Award in 1995 for Anita Baker's "I Apologize."

Keith Boykin - Keith Boykin is the editor of TheDailyVoice.com. He is a New York Times best-selling author of three books, and a frequent political commentator on CNN.

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Keith Boykin - Keith Boykin is the editor of TheDailyVoice.com. He is a New York Times best-selling author of three books, and a frequent political commentator on CNN.

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Kevin Aviance - New York female impersonator designer and dance musician Kevin Aviance is popular in the New York City gay scene.

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Kevin Aviance - New York female impersonator designer and dance musician Kevin Aviance is popular in the New York City gay scene.

John Amaechi - John Amaechi became the first NBA player to come out of the closet. Amaechi came out after he left the league.

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John Amaechi - John Amaechi became the first NBA player to come out of the closet. Amaechi came out after he left the league.

Dagmawi Woubshet - Dagmawi Woubshet is an assistant professor of English at Cornell University, where he teaches courses on African-American and comparative African Diaspora literature and culture. He recieved his PhD from Harvard University in 2007 and his BA in 1998 from Duke University. His scholarly interests include: critical race and sexuality studies, contemporary Black visual culture, translation, and vernacular Ethiopian poetics.

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Dagmawi Woubshet - Dagmawi Woubshet is an assistant professor of English at Cornell University, where he teaches courses on African-American and comparative African Diaspora literature and culture. He recieved his PhD from Harvard University in 2007 and his BA in 1998 from Duke University. His scholarly interests include: critical race and sexuality studies, contemporary Black visual culture, translation, and vernacular Ethiopian poetics.

Lawrence Webb - Webb is the first openly gay African American elected in the state of Virginia. Lawrence was elected to the Falls Church City Council in 2008 after his first run for political office.

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Lawrence Webb - Webb is the first openly gay African American elected in the state of Virginia. Lawrence was elected to the Falls Church City Council in 2008 after his first run for political office.

Stanley Bennett Clay - Stanley Bennett Clay is an author, filmmaker and actor. He has written three novels: “Diva,” “In Search of Pretty Young Black Men” and “Looker.” A self-described “fanatical Los Angeles type of person,” Clay writes stories about the Black gay scene on the West Coast. He’s also won three NAACP Image Awards for writing, directing and producing the film “Ritual.”

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Stanley Bennett Clay - Stanley Bennett Clay is an author, filmmaker and actor. He has written three novels: “Diva,” “In Search of Pretty Young Black Men” and “Looker.” A self-described “fanatical Los Angeles type of person,” Clay writes stories about the Black gay scene on the West Coast. He’s also won three NAACP Image Awards for writing, directing and producing the film “Ritual.”

Bill T. Jones - Dancer and choreographer Bill T. Jones has won two Tonys for choreography in the Broadway musicals Spring Awakening (20007) and Fela! (2009). Jones, the 9th of 12 children, moved from rural Florida to upstate New York at three years old. He would later become a dancer in a local company while a student at SUNY Binghamton. In 1982, he and his then-lover, Arnie Zane, started their own dance company, which still exists. After Zane’s death, Jones created some of his most powerful work.

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Bill T. Jones - Dancer and choreographer Bill T. Jones has won two Tonys for choreography in the Broadway musicals Spring Awakening (20007) and Fela! (2009). Jones, the 9th of 12 children, moved from rural Florida to upstate New York at three years old. He would later become a dancer in a local company while a student at SUNY Binghamton. In 1982, he and his then-lover, Arnie Zane, started their own dance company, which still exists. After Zane’s death, Jones created some of his most powerful work.