John Jones reflects on his early life growing up in Kansas City, discussing early experiences of racism and witnessing racial violence personally and nationally, including the murder of Emmett Till. He subsequently joined the Army and then came to D.C. to attend Howard University. Motivated to be involved in the Civil Rights Movement and local organizing, Jones became involved with the Adams Morgan Organization and later was elected to the ANC. He describes how in these roles he supported efforts to help Black residents keep their homes in the neighborhood as developers bought up properties and displaced lower-income residents and advocated for Perpetual Bank to provide loans to Black and Latino residents as part of its commitment to the community. He reflects on gentrification and the changing character of the Adams Morgan neighborhood and also talks about the positive aspects of community and his love of neighborhood-level organizing.