Jane Jenkins Herlong

Jane Jenkins Herlong is an entertainer, author, professional speaker, and recording artist whose career spans the fields of humor, motivational speaking, and Southern storytelling. Herlong's journey began on her family's Lowcountry tomato farm and led to the Miss America Pageant stage and performances at Radio City Music Hall. She was crowned Miss South Carolina, and the confidence and poise she developed on that stage became the foundation for her career in public speaking, singing, and writing. Overcoming personal challenges, including dyslexia and bullying, Herlong transitioned from the tomato fields to national platforms.

Herlong is a SiriusXM humorist, international best-selling author, professional singer, and award-winning speaker. She is a member of the Speaker Hall of Fame, an honor shared with figures such as Ronald Reagan and Colin Powell. Herlong also holds the Certified Speaking Professional designation and has been inducted into the Legends of Speaking in Washington, D.C. She serves as executive vice chair of the board at Piedmont Technical College of South Carolina, is a former chair of the National Speakers Association Scholarship Committee, a foundation trustee at the National Speakers Association, and a Presidential Medal recipient.

Herlong combines humor, original Southern stories, and singing with life lessons that resonate with audiences in business, education, and healthcare. Her career includes performances at venues across the United States, New Zealand, and Germany, and she has shared the stage with individuals such as Charles Stanley, Colin Powell, Rudolph Giuliani, Lee Greenwood, and Charlton Heston. As a recording artist, Herlong has produced multiple CDs, including "Favorites," a Big Band, Gospel, and Broadway collection, and "The Spirit of Christmas," a CD of Christmas classics, along with live recordings of her comedy and speeches available on iTunes and Pandora.

Herlong is the author of five award-winning books, including "Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep-Fried South: Sassy, Sacred, Southern Stories Filled with Hope and Humor," "Rhinestones on My Flip-Flops: Choosing Extravagant Joy in the Midst of Everyday Mess-Ups," "Bare Feet to High Heels: You Don't Have to Be a Beauty Queen to be a Beautiful Person," and "Bury Me with My Pearls: Humor with a Spiritual Twist." "Bury Me with My Pearls" earned the International Illumination Award and Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year. "Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep-Fried South" is available nationwide and has been optioned for film adaptation.

Herlong continues to headline corporate conventions, perform "Sweet Tea Shows" in theaters, and reach audiences through SiriusXM broadcasts. She holds the designations of Certified Speaking Professional and Council of Peers Award for Excellence and advocates for the power of humor and storytelling to inspire achievement and mental wellness.