my story

Born and raised in Chattanooga, TN, Karitsa Mosley Jones is your not so average inner city southern girl! Growing up in an atypical single parent household, Karitsa was exposed to the concept of being raised by a village. As a result, her village became the catalyst that drove her to create a life trajectory that would propel her to excel. In 2003, Karitsa earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice. She then earned a Masters of Social Work degree in 2005, both degrees from her illustrious Alma mater, Alabama A&M University. As a Licensed Master Social Worker, with over seventeen years of immense experience, this provides her an extensive understanding of the socioeconomic barriers that many are facing in her immediate community and abroad.

In the fall of 2018, Karitsa was selected to join a dozen of other community leaders nationwide for the inaugural cohort of the Pritzker Fellows Program. She has served as the Pritzker Fellow in The City of Chattanooga’s Office of Early Learning from 2018 to 2021. In August 2021, Karitsa was appointed by Mayor Tim Kelly to lead the City of Chattanooga’s newly created Community Forward Schools Partnership, as its Program Director. In February 2022, she was selected by Mayor Tim Kelly to lead the City of Chattanooga’s Department of Early Learning as its Administrator. Remaining true to her profession, she has served as an Adjunct Professor in the Dept. of Social Work at the University of TN- Chattanooga. Karitsa is also both a for profit and non-profit entrepreneur. She is the Founder/Executive Director of the Educate 2 Elevate Fund and the owner/operator of Sign Gypsies Chattanooga.

"be the change that you
wish to see in the world."

MAHATMA GANDHI

Karitsa lives by the infamous Mahatma Gandhi quote, “Be the Change that you wish to see in the world.” She believes that the most important change we can make as a community is to improve educational opportunities for our children. It was this core belief that drove her to step forward and commit to making a difference. On August 7, 2014 in her hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, at the age of 33, Karitsa was elected to the Hamilton County School Board. At the time of her election, she became the youngest member ever elected to the board and the first African American female to represent her district’s community. She has brought new energy, innovative ideas and trustworthy leadership to the Hamilton County School Board. In her first term, she has been a strong advocate for greater community engagement in schools; closing achievement gaps; more equitable and transparent budgeting decisions, to name a few. Karitsa is currently serving in her third term on the Board as the District 5 Representative.

Youth, public education and social inconsistencies are Karitsa’s focus efforts. It is her desire to leave a legacy that will be an inspiration to young people, especially young women. Reminding youth that their demographics don’t determine if and when they IMPACT change; true passion mixed with genuine actions creates change!!

Karitsa was a member of the 2015 Inaugural Class of the Harvard Business School’s Young American Leaders program. She is a proud member of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - Chattanooga Alumnae Chapter, City of Chattanooga - Mayor’s Council for Women, The Sankofa Fund for Civic Engagement, Chattanooga 2.0 Early Matters Coalition, Early Matters / Bright Start Steering Committee; as well as other local civic organizations in Chattanooga. Karitsa currently serves on the Board of Girls Inc. Chattanooga, the H.E.R.B. Foundation and RISE Chattanooga.

Of all the titles she holds in her life, Karitsa is most proud to be a devoted wife, mother and daughter. She is married to the love of her life, Mr. William E. Jones, the proud mother of four assets: William “EJ”, Whitney, Wesley and Shamberia, the adored “Ritzy” to her Goddaughter, Noa; and is the beloved daughter of Ms. Priscilla A. Ford and the late Mr. Lee Mosley, Jr.