Our Vision
The Jion Academy seeks to support strong, healthy and productive individuals, families and communities in the Bay Area by developing the mind, strengthening the body, and nurturing the
soul.
soul.
Our Mission
We believe that everyone has the power to lead humane and productive lives–to achieve personal growth and maximum health and well-being. By meeting our true potential, we thrive as individuals, support strong families and build healthy communities. Jion Academy supports individuals as they cultivate their personal power to create and achieve by developing the mind, strengthening the body, and nurturing the soul.
OUR Story
The Jion Academy was founded in 2016 by Spergon Hunt and Jacqueline Hunt-Willis. Spergon and Jacqueline are Oakland natives, raised to believe in the power of community, service, and self-discipline.
The word Jion (gee-ohn) is a martial arts concept used to describe a specific movement path. In simple terms, it is about deliberate, intentional action. The belief that a robust and methodical understanding of the basics will lead to predictable success and prosperity. Growing up, people from all walks of life often found a seat at their family dining table, always eager to share their stories. Spergon and Jacqueline came to appreciate how every human has a unique path and potential to thrive if given the right tools, connections, and understanding of the basics. Just like Jion, if someone had the right foundation, they saw they often found the right path to success. Through their involvement in disenfranchised communities, Spergon and Jacqueline realized it’s not enough to support just one area of a person’s life. We need to approach empowering individuals from a holistic perspective - and ideally reach them at a young age. They asked, “What could we do in fractured communities? What would it look like for young people to be as strong as possible, in as many ways as possible?” That is when the Jion Academy came to life. Leveraging their decades of experience and connections in the nonprofit and technology sectors, they built a network of mentors and donors to create Jion Academy’s first program, R.E.D.S., for elementary through high school-age girls. The Jion Academy has a high-touch, personalized approach to their programming, harkening back to their philosophy that we all have a unique road to travel. Spergon and Jacqueline work hands-on with each family to ensure they receive the support and guidance necessary to reach their true potential. Soon they will be launching a boys program, R.I.T.E, and plan to grow their offerings further in 2021. |
