CultureCultureAtlanta is set to honor a trailblazer in recovery this May, as Alexia Jones, the visionary behind R2ISE Inc., prepares to receive the prestigious State of Art and Wellbeing Legacy Award. The recognition comes as Jones celebrates a remarkable three-decade journey of personal recovery, a path that led her to establish an organization dedicated to empowering others through the arts.
The award ceremony is scheduled for May 21 at Atlanta Contemporary, with all proceeds from the event directly benefiting R2ISE Inc. This significant honor highlights Jones's profound impact, turning her private struggle and subsequent healing into a beacon of hope and support for countless individuals facing similar challenges. Her work underscores the power of creative expression in fostering wellness and community.
Jones's personal recovery journey began in 1994, a pivotal moment when, as a mother, she committed to finding a path to wellness. By May 2026, she will mark 30 years in recovery, a testament to her enduring dedication. A former professional dancer whose career was interrupted by drug addiction, Jones initially found solace and healing in the rhythmic movements she knew so well. She sought refuge in secret dance studios, sharing space with other women who were also seeking a way forward.
It was in these early, quiet moments that Jones found a deep personal connection to dance as a vehicle for her own recovery. She described this profound experience, stating, "Alone with God and from that place of deep discovery, I found dance to be the vehicle through which I found recovery." This personal revelation became the foundation for her innovative approach to healing. She further explained the non-verbal nature of her initial healing, noting, "I found out that there was no way I could use words to express that. At the very beginning of my recovery, I started dancing from a different place. I wasn't performing, but I was expressing how I felt. In a room with just me and my baby. I began to cry, I began to have memories of things that had happened, and I realized I started to heal."
From this deeply personal experience, Jones developed the Beracha Method, a self-directed process designed to empower individuals in recovery. The method focuses on helping participants identify their needs, stimulate dialogue about their journey, build collaborative relationships, and foster a supportive recovery network. Jones emphasized the method's focus on "passion, strength and allowing others to share their stories through their unique artistic expressions." She also articulated her belief in the scientific basis of art as healing, stating, "I would say that it is a science. When the brain has an opportunity to rest in the place of imagining, and to use not words, but color, movement, sound, and to express from a place that..."
Jones's professional background is as impressive as her recovery journey. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Florida State University and an MBA from Phoenix University. She is also a certified addiction empowerment specialist (CARES) and a certified peer specialist (CPS) trainer of trainers for trauma-informed care, and is currently pursuing certification as a drum circle facilitator. Her career as a professional dancer included national and international performances and choreography at both university and professional levels before her recovery journey began.
Her experience, combined with an observed need for alternative recovery pathways, particularly for African American women who often faced incarceration and lacked access to traditional treatment, motivated her to create a more inclusive space. Jones became involved with Mothers in Crisis, a faith-based organization, which provided her an opportunity to share dance with other women in recovery. This marked a pivotal moment, inspiring her to establish a broader community that eventually became R2ISE.
R2ISE Inc. was officially established as a nonprofit organization in 2018. Located in the historic West End of Atlanta, Georgia, it holds the distinction of being Georgia's first and only arts-focused Recovery Community Organization (RCO). The organization's mission is clear: to provide a safe space for individuals recovering from substance abuse disorder and/or mental health challenges, enabling them to achieve their fullest potential through the arts. R2ISE operates under the powerful motto, "Art+Recovery=Freedom."
The organization's programs are diverse and comprehensive, encompassing a wide array of art-focused recovery meetings, art gatherings, and educational opportunities. Key offerings include one-on-one peer coaching and all-recovery meetings that acknowledge diverse healing pathways. Signature programs such as "Chronicles of HOPE," a theatrical production based on real recovery journeys, and "The Comfort of Recovery," a statewide touring quilt project, showcase the transformative power of creative expression. R2ISE also maintains a "Permanent Collection: Graphic Narratives," featuring art created by people in recovery. Beyond artistic expression, R2ISE provides vital resources and support in areas such as housing, employment, education, social connection, and family engagement to help individuals sustain their wellness. Their physical location is 675 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Suite 5056, Atlanta, GA 30310.
Since its inception, R2ISE's impact has been significant, reportedly serving over 70,000 peers to date. The organization has been recognized as a five-time award-winning entity for its innovative, non-clinical approaches to recovery. Jones reflected on the initial challenges of introducing art as a recovery pathway, stating, "No, it has not been smooth road. Art and Recovery is not a traditional pathway in maintaining wellness. Therefore, It was difficult to sell this idea to the recovery community."
Despite these hurdles, Jones has witnessed profound transformations. "We come together to create a safe place where people can heal and maintain their wellness through the arts. I have seen miracles. I have seen many find their voices and rediscover their gifts," she shared. She also highlighted the unique environment R2ISE fosters: "R2ISE is a unique space that has been created and developed by people who need a space to be supported without judgment and heal outside of the traditional approaches to sobriety and mental wellness. We embrace our recovery; we are restored supported and we know how to support, we are empowered, and we are evolving. WE R2ISE!"
Others have joined Jones in her mission. Tawanda B. Hunter, Ed.D., a retired educator, serves on R2ISE's Executive Board of Directors, contributing to its strategic direction. Elizabeth Schulz is curating a "Graphic Narrative" for R2ISE, which is set to be unveiled in May 2025 at the Southwest Arts Center, further expanding the organization's artistic outreach. Jeremiah Gardner of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation also facilitated a Q&A with Alexia Jones, helping to amplify the message of art in recovery. Jones's pioneering work continues to underscore the critical importance of acknowledging multiple pathways to healing and transformation, proving that freedom can indeed be found through art and recovery.