Okla Jones II’s groundbreaking role as City Attorney
Okla Jones II was not just a man with titles. He was a man with purpose. He became the first Black person to serve as City Attorney of New Orleans. That role alone cemented his name in the city’s legal history.
But his work didn’t stop there. He later rose to the position of federal judge. His legacy as a public servant still echoes in the lives of those he served—and the family he left behind.
From Louisiana roots to a life of impact
Jones was born and raised in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Though his environment was tough, he was tougher. He earned his undergraduate degree at Southern University, then went on to Boston College Law School.
Armed with education and drive, he didn’t just climb the legal ladder—he rebuilt it for those coming after him. Jones was more than a lawyer. He was a community pillar and a father who lived with purpose.
His death created a silence his son still hears
When Okla Jones II passed on January 8, 1996, his son Okla Jones III was still young. The pain ran deep. Every missed moment—learning to shave, first dates, tough questions—became reminders of a father no longer there.
It wasn’t until adulthood that the weight of the loss truly hit. His son had to grow without the everyday lessons many take for granted. He had to teach himself how to move like a man without the man who once showed him how.
A Netflix series brought back more than just memories
Decades later, something changed. Jones’ son watched Forever, a Netflix series created by Mara Brock Akil. In the character of Eric Edwards—played by Wood Harris—he saw his own father again.
Eric, the father in the show, was steady, wise, and fully present. Like Jones, he led with quiet strength. The show didn’t just offer entertainment. It brought back the power of fatherhood done right.
A father on screen echoed a father in real life
Wood Harris, who played Eric Edwards, explained why his role felt natural. “I was raised by a man,” he said. That presence shaped both his real life and his performance.
For Jones’ son, that performance struck a chord. It reflected not only what he had lost, but what he had once enjoyed—a father who taught through action. The screen became a mirror, reflecting a past full of love, protection, and discipline.
Redefining Black fatherhood on and off screen
For too long, media has painted Black fathers as absent or broken. Forever changed that. It showed a man who led with compassion, stood up for his son, and loved his wife with patience.
Okla Jones II lived that story long before it hit the screen. His marriage was strong. His role as a father was constant. His influence, both personal and public, proved that Black fatherhood is rich, layered, and vital.
The legacy still lives in every decision and memory
Though nearly 30 years have passed, Jones’ legacy is alive in his son’s heart. As he says, “Even in his absence, his work remains.” Every lesson, every act of love, still guides him today.
From courtroom victories to quiet life lessons, Okla Jones II led with action. And even now, that action continues. It teaches, uplifts, and reminds us of what strong fatherhood looks like—Black, proud, and present.
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