Talina Jones Memorial Fund

Celebration of life

Our dear friend Talina Marie Jones unexpectedly passed away on December 27, 2022, in Syracuse, NY. She was a mother, lover, scholar-activist, a leader in the disability and social justice advocacy world.

Her family appreciated the privacy provided during this difficult time, and want to extend their gratitude to all friends who have reached out to them to extend their condolences.

Many of you who have reached out to her family were asking if the family was accepting monetary gifts, for this reason, her husband Kariem Jones has asked me to support him during this difficult time creating this go funding page. Please know that he will directly receive the proceeds of this campaign and money will be used to cover Talina’s memorial and cremation costs. Any money left will be for their son Kariem Jr. “Tajee” to be used on his journey thru his inclusive U program at Syracuse University, a four-year program, that his mother fought hard to get him in and where he is thriving. This program offers the opportunity for Tajee to go on trips and outings, but the family needs to pay for those expenses.

Talina touched the lives of hundreds of New York State parents who had the reality to learn that their babies needed help.

She was a member of the New York State Early Intervention Coordinating Council since 2007, serving as Chairperson from 2013 until her passing. She was a truly believer in the Early Intervention program and dedicated her recent years to advocating for it. Her inspiration for her commitment to the Early Intervention program was her son Kariem Jr. “Tajee”, who is diagnosed with downs syndrome; he was the best thing to happen to her; Talina’s world centered around him as her inspiration, and it was her purpose to help families who were raising children with disabilities.

As a mother of a son with disabilities, she worked tirelessly advocating for Early Intervention program not only at the state but also federal level.

Until recently, when they parted ways, Talina was the lead trainer for EI Partners Training "EI Families ", a program by the NYS Bureau of Early Intervention, one of the only programs in the nation that is available for parents of infants and toddlers who are service recipient of Early Intervention program. She had the opportunity to meet hundreds of parents in New York State she taught them about the importance of their family’s story and the power of their voice to advance the protection of programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities in New York State.

Talina was a board member of the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, a leading national civil rights law and policy center directed by individuals with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities.

As a friend, I was a firsthand witness of her gift, her radical activism her truth, her intellect, and her presence as a black woman trying to navigate the complex situations that were in this activist journey.

When I think about her legacy, I think about my family, I am also a parent of a child with a developmental disability, and how her presence and teaching impacted us.

Please, use this space to share a memory, and your thoughts about her, her work, her legacy and let’s come together to extend our heartfelt condolences to Talina’s husband, Kareim Sr, her son Taj, and the rest of her family and friends.

Do you want to learn more about her story?:

"The Envelope, for curious conversations to evolve family practice" - CUNY 2021

NYC Department of Health video: “Early Help Matters”

Spectrum News 1: Community Calls for Change in Syracuse Police's Use of Force Policy, 2018

Podcast, candid convo with Talina Jones , Black-Fem, social justice in the black community, 2019

Rest in power my friend.…

Talina Marie Jones

Sunrise June 30, 1980 - Sunset December 27, 2022