Powerful philanthropists Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano redefine legacy through equity and empowerment
SOURCE Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative.
LOS ANGELES , Oct. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — At the National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC) Amplifying Alts Forum, powerhouse investors and philanthropists Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano redefined what it means to build a legacy. In a fireside with Robert L. Greene, NAIC President and CEO, the duo shifted the conversation from financial returns to systems of access, opportunity, and long-term impact.
Speaking during the Excellence in Leadership Awards luncheon on October 2, Jones and Feliciano emphasized that true legacy is built through purpose-driven leadership and sustainable change. “Access to economic capital is a human right, fundamental to a nation built by immigrants,” Feliciano said, emphasizing the need for systemic inclusion rather than one-time generosity.
“Possibility doesn’t happen without patience. It doesn’t happen without perseverance. And it certainly doesn’t happen without obstacles,” added Jones, who guided the audience through a grounding and centering exercise to highlight the importance of strong foundations. This human-centered approach, Jones explained, is critical because “it’s people who have thoughts, people who have feelings, people who have stories, people who have histories” behind every investment.
Together, Jones and Feliciano discussed using their influence to reshape institutions from within, referencing their named dorms at Princeton University as symbols of belonging and representation. They also shared how, early in their careers, they created a “life plan” focused on impact rather than revenue. “If you’re just focused on a dollar amount, you’re leaving a lot on the table,” Jones said. “For us, it was always about impact.”
Greene acknowledged their impact as leaders and philanthropists. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate their example, how much I appreciate their leadership, and how much this association and all the people in it appreciate their friendship.”
Through the Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano Initiative, the couple has committed more than $200 million to promote education, entrepreneurship, equity, and empowerment. Their message at the NAIC Forum reinforced a key idea for both leaders and investors: lasting value is not measured by accumulation, but by the access, resilience, and opportunities created for others.
About Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano: Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano are life and business partners. In 2014, they founded the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative , a private family office dedicated to creating meaningful impact through strategic investments and transformative philanthropy. Guided by a commitment to purpose-driven initiatives, they invest in and partner with nonprofit and for-profit organizations with a key focus on four pillars: education, entrepreneurship, equity, and empowerment. Believing that access to capital drives inclusive opportunity, Jones and Feliciano have personally committed over $200 million to these efforts.
Kwanza Jones is a nine-time Billboard artist, investor, and speaker whose leadership has spanned nonprofits and corporate boards, including The Apollo Theater, Susan G. Komen, UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, and Bennett College. She brings energy and creativity to every stage she enters, whether public or private.
José E. Feliciano is the co-founder and managing partner of Clearlake Capital. He serves on the board of directors of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Stanford Board of Trustees, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino, the J. Paul Getty Trust, and LA28, the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, reflecting his commitment to education and cultural advancement.
