In Memoriam
Ermon K. Jones, civil rights pioneer, passes away
Ermon K. Jones, civil rights activist and pioneer, passes away at 92.

Civil rights activist and pioneer Ermon K Jones has passed away. He was 92.
Who is Ermon K Jones?
Jones was a lifelong resident of Neptune, N.J., where he attended Neptune Public Schools, graduating from the senior high school in 1943.
Pioneer
He would become the first Black basketball player to start for the Neptune High School.
He served in the Armed Forces, attended Monmouth University, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Morgan State University, and a Master’s degree from Columbia University.
In 1951, he started his career at Fort Monmouth as an engineer, and retired in 1985 after fifteen years as head of the Fort’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity for over 5000 civilian and military personnel.
Activism
Ermon Jones had a distinguished record in education and community activism being the first African American to purchase a home in the Gables section of Neptune by successfully winning a New Jersey Supreme Court landmark housing bias decision (Jones v. Haridor Realty) that provided homeownership opportunities for blacks throughout New Jersey.
In an interview with visitmonmouth.com, Jones says his greatest accomplishment was his impact in education, housing, and employment.
“I think I have demonstrated concern and interest and a sensitivity for these three areas of life here in Monmouth County. I had the opportunity to work towards the equality of employment opportunities based upon the person’s abilities rather than his or her skin color. The second area has undoubtedly been education, which is very important, because it has had an effect upon my life and my progress, and on what I’ve been able to achieve. I think it’s a key element as far as youngsters are concerned, and this has been borne out of my many years with the Head Start program.”
Community involvement
Jones was a member of the NAACP, former member of the Neptune Township Planning Board, the Housing Authority, and the Jersey Shore Hospital Community Advisory Board. He was also frat, being a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for 68 years and served as a Trustee for Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park, N.J
He was inducted into the Neptune High School Hall of Fame in 2010, and recently received the Trailblazer Award from Neptune’s Mayor for paving the way for others.
Discover more from Unheard Voices Magazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
-
Community2 weeks ago
North Carolina mourns firefighter Jaywon Lyons as community rallies around his legacy
-
In Memoriam2 weeks ago
Beloved former N.J. track star Rashaan Richardson, dies; remembered for his spirit and style
-
Social Justice20 hours ago
Video captures Black utility worker being threatened with lynching by Florida couple
-
Education7 days ago
North Carolina college sophomore launches GoFundMe amid tuition crisis
-
Community5 days ago
Georgia community mourns sudden death of 15-year-old athlete Mikah King
-
Social Justice1 week ago
Man injured in violent Florida traffic stop seeks support through GoFundMe
-
New Jersey1 week ago
Hundreds gather in Long Branch, New Jersey to advance unified Black agenda
-
Social Justice1 day ago
Jacksonville Kohl’s employee accused of racial profiling after confronting Black shopper in viral video