Keenan Jones

For Keenan Jones, a college basketball injury opened the door to a new path—storytelling. Growing up in Gary, Indiana and the south suburbs of Chicago, he was surrounded by a family of educators, pastors, athletes, and musicians, all of whom shaped his belief in the power of community and the importance of representation. Now living in Plymouth, Minnesota, Keenan writes stories that reflect the beauty of Black culture in America and the ways books can inspire young people to dream and strive for greatness.

His debut picture book, Saturday Morning at the ‘Shop (Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster, 2025), illustrated by Ken Daley, follows a young boy who discovers the vital role a neighborhood barbershop plays in community and culture. A 2022 Mirrors and Windows Fellow with The Loft Literary Center, Keenan also teaches writing workshops and speaks on the importance of literacy, representation, and storytelling. He is passionate about ensuring every child has the opportunity to see themselves in the pages of a book.