Team

Meet our team

Meet the Operation Amani Team

Dr.-Toya-Jones

Dr. Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) for the state of Pennsylvania. She is an Assistant Professor and Director of the Bachelor of Arts Social Work program at the University of Pittsburgh, the founder, and president of Freedom Indeed LLC, an organization that focuses on serving and empowering ex-offenders and victims of crime, and a therapist and the Clinical Director of Operation Amani. Dr. Jones is a national expert trauma witness for state and federal court cases. She has extensive experience working with the incarcerated population and returning citizens who have been affected by crime. She has counselor-legal advocacy, crisis management, conflict resolution, and mediation experience, working with both victims of juvenile crime and the adult criminal justice system. Her formal education is listed below: BA in psychology from the Indiana University of Pa, Master's degree in social work (MSW), University of Pittsburgh Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) University of Pittsburgh She is the host of her Facebook and YouTube show, Healing Overflow with Dr. Toy. Dr. Jones provides trauma-focused therapy for children, youth, and families affected by trauma. She provides trainings and community education programs for those exposed to violence for practitioners, professors, and students in Asia, East Africa, and the USA on topics such as The Impact of Trauma on Children, Adults, and Communities, Cognitive and Behavioral Effects of Racial Trauma, PTSD, Vicarious Trauma Trauma Aware Pedagogy Practices, Trauma, and the Incarcerated Population, Treatment modalities such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), expressive and play therapies for those impacted by trauma.

Dr. Toya Jones
Therapist & Clinical Director
Rev. Cornell Jones

Rev. Cornell Jones is a pastor, activist, mentor, father and husband. He is currently the Director of Street Outreach for the City of Pittsburgh where he brings outreach teams and law enforcement together to counteract and prevent violence in the Community. Rev. Jones served as the Protestant Chaplain at SCI Pittsburgh Prison (formerly known as Western Penitentiary) for over 10 years. While working in the prison, he was involved in many crisis deescalating and gang prevention teams such as the Security Threat Group Team, CISM, and the CERT team. He is a crisis chaplain and a trained member of the National Organization of Victim Assistance (NOVA) where he assists people who have been victims of large-scale crimes. He recently became a Gang Specialist. He launched an internet radio station, WXCN Power Radio, with programs to train returning citizens from the prison system. He truly has a heart for incarcerated youth and adults and marginalized communities. He continues to walk the path of community activists that his father, the late Bernard H. Jones, paved for him many years ago. Rev. Jones was the program manager for Urban Youth Action, founded by his father, who inspired him to always fight for equality for those who are oppressed. He continues to work with at-risk youth in schools, detention centers, and neighborhoods all over the state of Pennsylvania, whom many people label as lost causes. Rev. Jones continues to provide trainings on topics such as violence prevention classes and rites of passage programs with people of all ages. He has been a featured speaker on many college campuses including the University of Pittsburgh, California State University, John Jay College, Penn State, CCAC, Carlow College, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and numerous community organizations. Rev. Jones is a workforce development specialist, a violence prevention specialist, an advisory member of the Allegheny County Violence Prevention Advisory Board, and a member of My Brother’s Keeper Committee for the City of Pittsburgh, (founded by President Obama). He was recently featured in the newly published book called “YNGBLKPGH”, which focuses on Pittsburgh’s young leadership and mentors. Rev. Jones has received many community service awards including the “Dare to Dream” Visionary Award from the South Side Coalition for Peace, the Bernard Jones Community Service Award which is the highest award given by Urban Youth Action, and the UYA volunteer of the Year Award. He is also the recipient of the Pittsburgh Black Media’s Communicator of the Year Award and the winner of the Champion Enterprises Local Hero’s Community Award. He was a proud winner of the New Pittsburgh Courier’s Top 40 under 40 people in Pittsburgh and in 2014 he was given the Men of Excellence Award from the New Pittsburgh Courier Newspaper. In 2017 he won the Circle of Courage award and he recently won the BMe Leadership Award as a result, he was invited to the White House for his amazing work with Black Males. As former co-owner of Team Neva, he and his business partner organized the first motorcycle Ride 4 Peace, which brought hundreds of bikers to ride in unity through the city’s rough neighborhoods where there have been numerous killings. Team Neva was also the originator of the t-shirt that stated “Stop Killing” to combat the once popular “Stop Snitching” t-shirt. This controversy stirred up national attention. He is the founder and Pastor of Iron Cross Community Ministries, a community empowerment and anti-violence ministry dealing with street intervention, motorcycle ministries, health, fitness, and Christ-Centered Outreach. He is the son of the late Bernard H. Jones, founder of Urban Youth Action and POISE Foundation, and Geraldine Jones. He is married to Dr. Toya Jones LCSW and the proud father of Cornell Jr and Naomi Jones.

Rev. Cornell Jones
Founder & CEO
Gary-J.-Coleman-profile

Gary J. Coleman is a multifaceted media entrepreneur and filmmaker, best known as the founder and owner of GJColeman Media. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Gary's passion for storytelling and media began at an early age, leading him to achieve remarkable success in various media-related fields. With a keen eye for cinematic brilliance, Gary made his mark as a talented filmmaker with two of his movies, "Mr. Jacob" and "Make Me Laugh," earning a spot on Amazon Prime's exclusive streaming platform. Both films received critical acclaim for their compelling narratives and exceptional direction, solidifying Gary's position as a rising star in the entertainment industry. Apart from his filmmaking ventures, Gary J. Coleman's prowess extends to radio, where he serves as the esteemed program director of WXCN Power radio. Under his visionary leadership, the radio station has garnered a substantial following and contributed significantly to the local music and broadcasting scene. Gary's passion for uplifting communities and amplifying voices is evident through his role as the media manager for "We Are the Village," an organization dedicated to fostering positive change and empowerment within various communities. With Gary's media expertise, "We Are the Village" has been successful in creating impactful campaigns and spreading meaningful messages. Beyond his media endeavors, Gary is deeply committed to social work and community outreach. He dedicates his time as a Pittsburgh Outreach worker in Group Violence Intervention, striving to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals affected by violence in the City of Pittsburgh. This dedication to creating safer and more compassionate communities reflects Gary's strong sense of social responsibility and empathy. In recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions to the media landscape and community work, Gary J. Coleman was honored with the prestigious induction into the New Pittsburgh Courier 40 Under 40 in 2022. This accolade stands as a testament to his talent, dedication, and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact through various media-related ventures. As Gary J. Coleman continues to push the boundaries of storytelling, media management, and community outreach, he remains an influential figure in the media industry and an inspiring role model for aspiring filmmakers and social advocates alike. His dynamic career and dedication to uplifting communities serve as a shining example of how one individual's passion can ignite positive change on multiple fronts.

Gary J. Coleman
Director of Programming