SUNDAY SELFIE SERIES #70

Kyle Tibbs Jones

Kyle is the co-founder and media director for The Bitter Southerner. I’ve done a few projects with BS and that’s how I met Kyle. I knew from our first phone conversation in (I think) the spring of 2018 that we were birds of a feather.

Kyle is a force — she’s strong, smart, and beautiful — but what makes her a real queen is how nice she is. She joined me onstage for a conversation about “Blood,” when it came out in the fall of 2019. We sat onstage at Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta, Georgia, and talked about some of the most painful events of my life and somehow she put me as ease. That’s the mark of a true and wise journalist — for one can never really see a situation or person clearly without empathy.

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1. What has humbled you more than anything else?

Life just has a way of setting us straight. I was so sure-fired smart when I was younger. "I wouldn't put up with ____."  "I would never ____."  Live long enough and you eventually realize that life isn’t black and white and most of what we experience happens somewhere in the middle of all those absolutes. There are important exceptions though, and I’m still pretty opinionated. Just ask me about what happened in Texas this week. I'm more than happy to spend the next four days telling you why it's 100% wrong.

2. Do you feel like you've gotten a good education?

I was fortunate to attend the University of Georgia. Putting three kids through college wasn't easy for my parents, and I have never taken it for granted. Recently, we announced that The Bitter Southerner has entered into a partnership with The Grady School of Journalism (my alma mater.) We’re all really excited about it. Of course most of what we know, we learned on the job. I've had incredible mentors over the years. I hope I'm doing a good job paying it forward.

3. Do you believe that forgiveness benefits the forgiver or the transgressor?

100%, the forgiver. Forgiveness is not a transaction. It took me a long time to accept that just because I forgive someone, it doesn't mean they accept it or forgive me back. Forgiveness is for you and your heart and your peace of mind. Don’t expect anything back from the person you are forgiving. Just forgive. 

4. What is your proudest accomplishment?

In the last 8 years, my partners and I have built what’s turned into a pretty cool national magazine (with a Southern accent.) When we launched The Bitter Southerner, there wasn’t really a gathering place for progressives who love this region. And with all the challenging news right now, I'm thankful our storytelling exists. For so long, I had no idea there was an entrepreneur inside of me or that cause related work was where I was headed. I guess I’m most proud I've found my just-right-spot.

5. How would you like to live out your golden years?

Allison, I might be in them right now. Am I? Lol. Feels pretty golden…