From homeless to prosperous

                                                       Photo via: Alcole Photography

A few years ago, Nate Jones was homeless, using the cold seats of New York City subways for a bed and her book bag as a pillow. Today, the 23-year-old is thriving and struggles to even fit sleep into her busy schedule while juggling a modeling and acting career and co-hosting her new radio show, Ke and Te radio.

“It is not easy. New York City is where you come to sell a dream, live a dream or buy a dream. This city is very hard. I’ve been homeless like 3 times. The first time I was homeless was like 2 years ago. My school had let out for the summer and I didn’t have the money to stay in dorm and I had to leave. I was staying with a friend for 2 days and I slept on a train and I had a little bit of money,” she said.

The oldest of three, Jones isn’t unfamiliar with humble beginnings. Growing up in a single-parent home in the impoverished communities of both Youngstown, Oh and Detroit, MI , she says, is what motivates her to give back.

“I’ve had so many [that] I’ve known who’ve passed on and been killed. I really plan on giving back to my city and my mom. She had me at 15 with 3 kids and she was married and she sacrificed a lot for me. I’m really looking forward the day when I can just buy her a house and she doesn’t have to work,” she said.

These days, the petite aspiring actress can be seen pounding the pavement of the concrete jungle tirelessly marketing her newly-launched radio show that she co-host with Keydra Manns. The Brooklyn show (Xtreme 104 FM), which debuted January 2014 highlights New York’s up-and-coming young movers and shakers.

“My segment is on interviewing photographers and artist. We really want to shine light to young people, who have dreams and aspirations and are doing their own thing,” she said.

The aspiring entertainment maven has also been featured on MTV Jams, in rapper Meek Mill’s music videos Amen and Actin Up and rapper Kirko Bangs’ Drank in my cup video.

Though she began her career as a model, Jones says, she is ready to returned to her first love—acting.

 “I’m an actress overall and that’s what’s going to be my niche. I’m getting back to acting and I am really focused. That’s what I came to New York for. I just always liked to be the center of attention,” she said

While Jones has accomplished more she expected, she asserts she is just getting started and is determined to succeed.

“When I look at myself in the mirror I see so much potential. This is just the beginning. This is just the stretch I haven’t even gotten to the run yet. I don’t have a plan B because my plan A isn’t going to fail. All my money time blood sweat and tears goes into my dream,” she said.