Howard University elects its first transgender student body president

When Jay Jones first came to Howard University, she didn’t expect to one day become president of the student body, let alone make history as its first transgender president.

In late March, Howard students elected Jones, a junior political science major from Fort Worth, Texas, as president of the Howard University Student Association for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Jones did not begin her transition from male to female until the beginning of her junior year, when she served as HUSA’s vice president. However, her journey of advocacy and leadership for the queer community began long before she knew who she truly was. Even when Jones identified as a gay man, coming from the South, she knew her voice could make a positive change in the world.

“Leadership really became my safe haven,” Jones said. “I could prove to people that regardless of who you are, regardless of what you did, you can still succeed. But the other big thing that was really important about my leadership was that not only did I have an impact, but I also to some extent had power to ensure that the violence that I felt against me did not happen to other people.”

Before Jones’ involvement in HUSA, she was a member of the Men of George Washington Carver Inc., a freshman organization with three core values: brotherhood, manhood and community service. That’s where she met Samarion Montgomery, who became her best friend and encouraged Jones to make the gender transition.

Jones said she never misses an opportunity to shout out Montgomery because without their bond, Jones would not be who she is today. Montgomery told Andscape he was instrumental in pushing Jones’ boundaries when they met.

“I knew the woman who Jay was. … She was and still is one of the smartest people I have ever met,” Montgomery said. “I was like, ‘Listen, you have so much potential, I cannot have it hindered any way whatsoever.’ ”

Howard alum Eshe Ukweli, Jones’ mentor, also has served as a pivotal person in her life, helping Jones figure out the best way to describe herself. They met when Ukweli was a senior and Jones was a junior and associated with the same groups on campus.

Ukweli said when she was an undergraduate at Howard, she knew of only one other transgender woman on campus besides herself. Eventually, that student graduated, but her presence on campus reassured Ukweli in her identity, so when Ukweli became a senior, she wanted to provide Jones with the resources she needed to succeed. 

“There exists between Black trans women … this just innate sense of, like, sisterhood,” Ukweli said. “And, you know, knowing the trans women that have existed in the space before you.”

When Jones was elected HUSA vice president at the end of her sophomore year, the administration asked about her preferred pronouns. Unsure how to respond, Jones used the summer break to think about it.

A conversation with Ukweli led her to becoming Jay Jones, as she is known today, she said.

“She [Ukweli] asked, ‘Well, in the future, what do you imagine your kids or your nieces and nephews calling you?’” Jones said. “And I always imagined them saying ‘mom’ and ‘aunt.’ ”

Jones said she has received overwhelming support from Howard’s administration and the student body, including after her election win. 

Sydney Parrish, a rising sophomore criminology major, said while Jones being elected HUSA president is historic, the reaction to her victory is noteworthy, too.

“I feel that Jones’ presidency is definitely significant in Howard’s history, but I think her election highlights an interesting debate,” Parrish said. “We specifically outline the terms ‘Black’ or ‘trans’ to highlight the accomplishments of underrepresented individuals, but it really just reaffirms the idea that marginalized people should be viewed differently. I believe she’ll be able to bring some innovative ideas on Howard’s campus and in regard to the well-being of the overall student population.”

One of Jones’ first ideas is to implement a freshman walk or an initiation event for incoming students. 

“I not only want to remind freshmen that when you come to Howard, you’re joining more than just a community of trailblazers, of powerful alumni. [You’re joining] a community where when you step in a room you’re automatically associated with Howard,” Jones said. “You’re also joining a community and a family of people who love you and who are going to protect and nurture you.”

Jones wants to implement an initiative that will allow Howard student organizations to visit local primary and secondary schools and speak to younger students.

“That way, students not only recognize Howard University, but Howard University recognizes the community,” Jones said. 

When asked why she ran for president, Jones said her campaign was larger than herself. 

“I do this for all the little gay boys, all the little gay girls and all the little trans male and female people down South who haven’t gotten their chance to dance to the sun yet,” she said.