Vera Jones Biography

Vera Jones, “The Empathy Coach,” is a motivational speaker, leadership coach, author, award-winning television and radio broadcaster, and Syracuse University Hall-of-Fame Scholar-Athlete. She offers resilience, empathic leadership, communication, public speaking, DEIB, wellness, and conflict resolution keynote speaking and training. She is an inspiring, relatable, and often humorous speaker who thrives on empathy and emotional intelligence to connect and inspire. Jones is also known for her extensive, veteran background in broadcasting, serving over 30 years as a women’s basketball analyst and reporter for various networks, including ESPN, Fox Sports, Madison Square Garden Network, NBA-TV, and the Big Ten Network. She has coached college basketball, performed on stage as an actress with the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company, and entertained as a stand-up comedian. Known as “Professor Jones” at the University of North Florida, she helps to expand young minds in the communication department teaching public speaking.

Jones is an MTI Certified Mediator and Trainer in Conflict Resolution and the founder of both Play Through the Foul Team Building & Communication Training and the Perseverance Speaker’s Academy. She also facilitates executive coaching with Vistage Florida. In the space of diversity, equity, and inclusion Jones is the past President for the non-profit Colorful Talks, and former Parents Council member of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. Jones is honored and humbled to have become a Hall of Fame inductee with the Boys & Girls Club of America Alumni (2023) and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO 2022).

A Prince George’s County, Maryland native residing in Jacksonville, Florida, Jones deeply understands the personal trials of life. She seeks to use her gifts of service in her faith-based mission to help people maximize their powers of empathy to connect, communicate, collaborate, and conflict resolve.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 05/28/2026.

Vera Jones Speaking Topics

  • NOW I SEE: Moving From Blindness To Breakthrough

    Vera Jones is renowned for her powerful insights on resilience, drawing from her own life experiences and professional journey. Her signature story ignites belief that for every piece of pain there’s a powerful piece of purpose! Chronicling the daunting emotional and physical challenges her son faced in being diagnosed with a brain tumor and blindness, Vera reveals critical lessons for resilience, change, and finding significance in the midst of adversity. Sometimes humorous, always engaging, this single mom brings spiritual and mindset transformation, moving audiences “from Blindness to Breakthrough!”

    With her emotionally dynamic storytelling and engaging personality, Vera inspires audiences to overcome adversity and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. This keynote is also available as a breakout session or workshop and features exploration of her seven “Blind Life and Leadership Lessons” which provide practical tools and strategies to help individuals build mental toughness, adapt to change, and bounce back stronger from setbacks.

    Vera’s passionate presentation was adapted by Goalcast in October 2017, instantly going viral to become one of their most watched videos with over 47-million views and counting! The riveting book, "NOW I SEE: A Journey of Prophecy, Pain, and Purpose," is available to compliment this powerful keynote.

  • LEADERSHIP 6-S: How To Love Them And Lead Them With Empathy

    As a former collegiate athlete and coach, Vera Jones understands the critical role empathy plays in effective teamwork and leadership. She knows firsthand there is great truth in the adage, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” This is the brainchild behind Vera’s transformative presentation on empathic leadership. Based on Vera’s most recently released book, "Leadership 6-S: How To Love Them And Lead Them with Empathy," this session weaves powerful and relatable storytelling with the unveiling of six research-backed workplace motivators essential for driving engagement and mastering emotionally intelligent communication. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness as the foundation for growth in understanding and connecting with team members on an empathetic, personal level.

    Leaders leave this session with greater understanding of how to foster a culture of empathy that improves communication and trust, and builds stronger, highly motivated, cohesive, and productive teams. When you put “6” and “S” together, you get “Success!” That’s just what Vera delivers for improved connection, communication, and collaboration.

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Vera Jones Videos

Vera Jones Demo 2021

Vera Jones Demo 2021

Vera Jones is a Motivational Speaker and Founder of the Perseverance Speakers Academy. Great speakers are confident in who they are and what they...

Vera Jones: Blind Can Lead the Blind...Life and Leadership

Vera Jones: Blind Can Lead the Blind...Life and Leadership

With Vera Jones, what you see indeed is what you get, but what you get is something you have never seen! The blind CAN lead the blind…. as long as...

This is What a Blind Son Taught His Mother about Vision | Vera Jones

This is What a Blind Son Taught His Mother about Vision | Vera Jones

Vera Jones, a collegiate Hall-of-Fame athlete, learns a lesson from her blind son about the vision needed to overcome life's hardships.

  • How do I book Vera Jones to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Vera Jones for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Vera Jones, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Vera Jones or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Vera Jones

    Speaking fees for Vera Jones, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Vera Jones are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Vera Jones, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Vera Jones speak about?

  • Where does Vera Jones travel from?

    Vera Jones generally travels from Jacksonville, FL, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Vera Jones’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Vera Jones for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Vera Jones for your next private or corporate function.
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Vera Jones is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as NOW I SEE: Moving From Blindness To Breakthrough, LEADERSHIP 6-S: How To Love Them And Lead Them With Empathy, GIRLS DON’T WHISTLE? Cultivating Confidence and Culture Cohesiveness, ELEPHANT CHAINS: A Women’s Empowerment Keynote and THE TEN TURTLE TENETS: A Lifetime Rx. The estimated speaking fee range to book Vera Jones for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. Vera Jones generally travels from Jacksonville, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Donna Orender, Jodi Bondi Norgaard, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Allyson Felix. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Vera Jones for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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