Kwanza Jones is an American entrepreneur, recording artist, investor, and philanthropist best known for making history in 2026 as the first Black woman to hold a majority ownership stake in a Major League Baseball franchise.
She and her husband, investor José E. Feliciano, led the group that bought the San Diego Padres for a record $3.9 billion.
Kwanza Jones Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kwanza Jones |
| Born | Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Artist, Investor, Philanthropist |
| Education | Princeton University |
| Known For | San Diego Padres co-owner |
| Company | SUPERCHARGED by Kwanza Jones |
| Husband | José E. Feliciano |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
Who is Kwanza Jones?
Kwanza Jones is a Princeton-educated entrepreneur, recording artist, and investor. She works at the crossroads of culture, community, and capital.
She founded the motivational media company SUPERCHARGED by Kwanza Jones.
Jones first gained national attention as a Billboard-charting dance artist. Her song Think Again reached the Billboard dance chart in 2011, and she charted several more times after that.
Over the years, she added law, mediation, teaching, and impact investing to her resume.
In 2026, Jones stepped into the spotlight in a new way. When the San Diego Padres changed hands, she became the first Black woman to hold a majority stake in an MLB franchise.
She and her husband also run a major philanthropic initiative together.
Early Life of Kwanza Jones
Kwanza Jones was born in Los Angeles, California, on Thanksgiving Day. She grew up in Washington, D.C., which she describes as her hometown.
Her mother is Dorothy Wilkerson Jones.
Music ran deep in her family from the start. Her paternal great-grandmother played piano for the legendary blues singer Bessie Smith.
As a young girl, Jones played the flute, violin, and piano.
She also sang in school and church choirs and ran track and field through high school and college. That early mix of music and athletics shaped her drive.
Kwanza Jones Age / Birthday
Kwanza Jones was born on Thanksgiving Day in Los Angeles, California. Her exact birth year has not been publicly confirmed.
She graduated from Princeton University in 1993, pointing to a career that now spans more than three decades.
Her zodiac sign is Sagittarius, a sign often linked with ambition and a love of big goals.
Kwanza Jones Ethnicity and Nationality
Kwanza Jones is an African American woman and a United States citizen. She was born in California and raised in Washington, D.C.
Her Black heritage has been a visible thread throughout her philanthropy.
She has directed major gifts to historically Black colleges and spoken often on equity and representation.
Kwanza Jones Education
Kwanza Jones attended Coolidge Senior High School in Washington, D.C. She then enrolled at Princeton University, graduating in 1993.
At Princeton, she majored in Public and International Affairs.
Jones was an NCAA Division I track athlete there, competing in the 800 meters. She also sang as a soloist in the gospel choir and joined an a cappella group.
A chance meeting with music legend Quincy Jones at Princeton sparked her interest in a music career.
Later, Jones earned a Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. She added a Master of Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law.
Kwanza Jones Career
Kwanza Jones has never fit neatly into one category. Her career has moved through music, law, media, investing, and now professional sports ownership.
That range sets her apart among American business figures.
Music Career (2001-2017)
Jones launched her music career after winning Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in New York City. She released her debut album, Naked, in 2001.
A second album, Naked 2: Universal Fire, followed in 2006.
Her breakthrough came in 2011, when her single Think Again reached No. 21 on the Billboard dance chart. She released the album Supercharged in 2013.
Across singles and projects, Jones charted on Billboard nine separate times.
Her later hits included Turn It Up, which peaked at No. 8 on the dance chart in 2015. She released all of her music through her own label, Innovation Entertainment.
Business and Media Ventures
Beyond music, Jones founded SUPERCHARGED by Kwanza Jones, a motivational media company. The company focuses on moving people from inspiration to action.
She also worked as a court mediator in the New York City system.
Along with her husband, Jones co-founded the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative. The grant-making and investment organization backs education, entrepreneurship, and equity.
Through that work, the couple have given more than $200 million to education causes.
San Diego Padres Ownership (2026)
In 2026, Jones and Feliciano led an investor group to buy the San Diego Padres. The $3.9 billion deal set a record for a Major League Baseball franchise.
The group purchased the team from the family of late owner Peter Seidler.
MLB owners approved the sale that summer, and the couple introduced themselves at a press conference in August 2026. With the deal, Jones became the first Black woman to hold a majority stake in an MLB team.
Her husband became the first majority owner of Puerto Rican descent in the league.
Kwanza Jones Philanthropy
Kwanza Jones has built a large record of giving alongside her business work. Much of it runs through her joint initiative with José E. Feliciano.
In 2020, she gave $20 million to Princeton University to expand access and inclusion.
The couple also donated $1 million to Bennett College, a historically Black school, in 2019. Jones has served on the boards of Susan G. Komen and the Apollo Theater.
She was an anchor sponsor for Hurricane Maria recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.
Her philanthropy centers on education, equity, and empowerment. Those themes echo the message of her music and media work.
Kwanza Jones Husband
Kwanza Jones is married to José E. Feliciano, a private equity investor. He co-founded the firm Clearlake Capital Group.
The couple built much of their philanthropy and investing together.
Through Clearlake, Feliciano became one of the most prominent Latino investors in the country. He and Jones co-founded their grant-making initiative.
In 2026, the two led the investor group that bought the San Diego Padres.
With the Padres deal, Feliciano became the first majority owner of Puerto Rican descent in MLB. The couple now share one of the biggest ownership roles in baseball.
Kwanza Jones Net Worth
Kwanza Jones’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. Her wealth comes from her businesses, music, investments, and sports ownership.
She founded and leads the media company SUPERCHARGED.
As co-owner of the San Diego Padres, Jones holds a stake in a franchise valued at $3.9 billion. Her husband, José E. Feliciano, built a fortune as a co-founder of Clearlake Capital.
Together, the couple have committed more than $200 million to education through their initiative.
Her income over the years has also included music royalties from her independent label. Her investing and board roles add further to her financial profile.
Kwanza Jones Social Media
Kwanza Jones stays active on social media, where she shares her work in business, music, and philanthropy. Her verified Instagram handle is @kwanzajones.
She also promotes her SUPERCHARGED brand online.
On her platforms, Jones posts about empowerment, education, and the Padres. Her accounts reflect both her ventures and her causes.
She uses her reach to spotlight equity and community projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kwanza Jones?
She is an American entrepreneur, recording artist, and investor who became the first Black woman to hold a majority stake in an MLB team.
Who is Kwanza Jones’s husband?
She is married to José E. Feliciano, a co-founder of the private equity firm Clearlake Capital Group.
What team does Kwanza Jones own?
She and her husband led the group that bought the San Diego Padres for $3.9 billion in 2026.
What is Kwanza Jones’s net worth?
Her exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, but her wealth spans business, music, investments, and sports ownership.
Where did Kwanza Jones go to college?
She graduated from Princeton University in 1993 and later earned law and dispute resolution degrees.
What company did Kwanza Jones found?
She founded SUPERCHARGED by Kwanza Jones, a motivational media company.
Conclusion
Kwanza Jones moved from Billboard dance charts and the Apollo stage to the ownership box of a Major League Baseball team, becoming the first Black woman with a majority stake in the sport when she and José E. Feliciano bought the San Diego Padres.
Her blend of music, law, investing, and more than $200 million in education giving makes her one of the most wide-ranging figures in American business.