MEET HAKIM
Committed Leader & Dedicated Public Servant
Hakim K. Jones was born and raised in Norristown, PA where he attended Norristown Area School District schools. Coming up under the household of the late John O. Jones, a skilled maintenance worker and Rosalie Jones, a retired United States Air Force Tech Sargent, Hakim quickly learned what hard work and sacrifice meant. By participating in sports, music and language throughout the years, Hakim quickly embraced the importance of responsibility, diversity and teamwork. The exposure and experiences through these positive outlets helped pave the way to a college education at West Virginia University after graduating from Norristown Area High School in 2001.
While attending West Virginia University, Hakim majored in Public Relations Journalism with a Second Concentration in French Studies. Involvement at the Undergraduate level included internships with Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Central WV, Boys and Girls Club of Morgantown WV, West Virginia Women Work, Inc. and the United States Library of Congress (African American War Veterans Project.) Outside of academic responsibilities, Hakim was a walk-on student athlete with the WVU Football Program from 2002- 2004. After graduating from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations Journalism in 2006, Hakim started his public service career working for the Children’s Defense Fund; Freedom Schools of America, educating and mentoring at-risk youth in Wheeling, WV.
Hakim returned to Norristown, PA in 2006 where he was employed by Educational Data Systems, Inc. (EDSI) While with EDSI, Hakim split time between three counties over a 7 year period. He worked as an Employment Consultant and Retention Case Manager at the Delaware County Re-employment Transition Center in Chester, PA. There he was successful in leading public assistance recipients, non-custodial parents and ex-offenders to gainful employment and post-secondary education while striving toward self-sufficiency. Hakim then transferred to his home town of Norristown, PA where he worked for the Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board. There, he coordinated Workforce Investment Act and Department of Labor funded programs in Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. The Montco Youth Empowerment Program and St. Gabriel’s Hall YouthBuild Partnership were two programs where Hakim was able to assist thousands of underrepresented youth in the areas of career exploration, employment, life-skills development, post-secondary education and military service.
Hakim has also spent several years working at Montgomery County Emergency Services (MCES) as a Psychiatric Technician. There he assisted individuals struggling with mental health diagnoses along with drug and alcohol addiction. At MCES, Hakim served as a friend, mentor and resource both within the mental health facility and throughout the community. Currently, Hakim is employed by the Norristown Area School District as the Truancy Abatement Specialist working alongside of the home and school department to improve attendance and provide opportunities within a district of 7,000 plus students. Outside of his day to day role with the school district, Hakim is an avid community servant in a multitude of areas which include Youth Athletics, Nonprofit Board Memberships, Municipal Planning Commission and various other grass root community initiatives.
Hakim has an undying loyalty and drive to serve the Norristown community and the residents within. His range of skills, work ethic and ability to collaborate with others have allowed him to thrive which further encouraged him to run for Municipal council in 2015. Hakim is looking forward to continued work in the community while tackling the important issues alongside his fellow council members.
