Jennifer Jones
Wave Staff Writer
Jennifer Jones, who shattered racial barriers as the first African American Radio City Music Hall Rockette in 1987, marks another major milestone in her storied career with the release of her highly anticipated memoir, “Becoming Spectacular: The Rhythm of Resilience,” available now wherever books are sold.
Timed with the 100th anniversary of the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, “Becoming Spectacular” is a heartfelt journey rooted in faith, courage and unwavering determination. In its pages, Jones shares how her love for dance was sparked by her supportive parents, who often took her and her sister to see the iconic Broadway production “The Wiz.” That early exposure to the arts paved the way for her groundbreaking moment and infused the Rockettes with long-overdue diversity, marking a significant change after 62 years without a Black woman in their lineup.
In 2023, Jones shared her story with younger readers through her acclaimed children’s book, “On The Line: My Story of Becoming the First African American Rockette.” The book is now part of the Library of Congress’s Children’s Books Collection, representing her home state of New Jersey.
“My story isn’t just about dancing,” Jones said. “It’s about dreaming when others say you shouldn’t, standing tall when it’s easier to shrink, and showing up as your full, authentic self even when no one else in the room looks like you.”
From her unforgettable national debut as a 20 year old Rockette during the 1988 Super Bowl XXII halftime show in San Diego, to the bright lights of Broadway and beyond, Jones reflects on the sacrifices, scrutiny, and quiet strength it took to be the “first.”
She’s been a passionate voice for equal rights in the arts, and her impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. She has been honored not only by Radio City Music Hall but by institutions like the Harlem School of the Arts and Madison Square Garden.
In addition to her history-making role with the Rockettes, she performed in the 2001 Broadway revival of “42nd Street,” where she was one of just three African-American women in the cast. That same year, the production earned the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
The multi-talented performer is also ardent about health and wellness, especially after surviving a stage three colorectal cancer diagnosis at age 50. She is now celebrating more than six years of being cancer free.
With the release of her new memoir, she boldly steps into a new chapter as an author, sharing her journey to inspire others.
“Becoming Spectacular: The Rhythm of Resilience” (Harper Collins-Amistad, is available on Amazon and Walmart Marketplace.
