QC That’s Where Service Starts with Showing Up

Send us Fan MailJerry Jones has built a life around service. Not just to the Quad Cities, but to the people who call it home. In this conversation, we get to know the man behind that commitment, from growing up in the Chicago suburbs to finding his way to Augustana College and eventually making the Quad Cities a place he didn’t just work, but chose to stay.Today, Jerry leads the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, where his work is rooted in a simple idea: investing in people strengthens an entire community. He shares how his early experiences working with young people shaped his career and why he believes deeply in creating opportunities for the next generation.We talk about the King Center from his perspective. This includes the after-school programs, summer day camp, murals, STEAM lab and community events that give young people a place to learn, create and belong. Jerry also takes us behind the scenes of the Center’s unique relationship with the City of Rock Island and how that structure has helped make its work sustainable for generations.The King Center is also responsible for an annual celebration called Soul of the City, which brings together community members to enjoy food, music, games, vendors, and much more! That event will be held September 5, 2026.If you’ve ever wondered what makes someone choose the Quad Cities and stay, this conversation with Jerry Jones is worth a listen.QC, That's Where is a podcast powered by Visit Quad Cities. Through the people, partnerships, and personalities woven throughout the Quad Cities region, you'll meet real Quad Citizens and hear the untold stories of the region.Follow Visit Quad Cities on social media and never miss an episode of #QCThatsWhere.FacebookInstagramLinkedInX