Van Jones

President at The Dream Corps

Anthony Kapel "Van" Jones, born on September 20, 1968, is a prominent American political analyst, media personality, lawyer, author, and civil rights advocate. He is the founder and current President of Magic Labs Media, a media production company that focuses on storytelling to inspire social change. The company has produced several award-winning projects, including The Messy Truth series and the Messy Truth VR Experience, both of which have garnered significant accolades such as Emmy and Webby Awards.1 2 4

Career Highlights

Education: Jones earned a B.S. in Communication and Political Science from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1990 and a J.D. from Yale Law School in 1993.3 5
Government Role: He served as President Barack Obama's Special Advisor for Green Jobs in 2009, where he was instrumental in promoting green job initiatives.2 3
Social Entrepreneurship: Jones has founded several organizations aimed at social justice, including the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and Color of Change. He also co-founded the Dream Corps, which encompasses initiatives like #cut50 for criminal justice reform.5 6
Media Presence: As a CNN commentator, he has hosted various shows, including The Van Jones Show and The Redemption Project. His media work often highlights issues of social justice and criminal reform.2 3

Publications

Jones is a three-time New York Times bestselling author, with notable works including:

The Green Collar Economy
Rebuild the Dream
Beyond the Messy Truth .5 6

Awards and Recognition

Jones has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including being named one of TIME's "100 Most Influential People in the World" in 2009 and earning the World Economic Forum’s “Young Global Leader” designation.3 5

In summary, Van Jones is a multifaceted leader dedicated to social justice through media and advocacy, leveraging his platform to foster dialogue and inspire change.