With a 2017 Goalcast viral video of over 47-million views and counting, Vera’s voice had already rung out across the world as a motivational speaker who helps people move from pain to purpose. She felt called to help coach speakers to do the same. She decided to
“help people confidently develop their wisom, passion, and pain into their professional speaking purpose”
so that millions, just by hearing their stories of inspiration and education could find hope and healing. The one voice is now a collective voice called
“The Perseverance Speakers Academy.”
Meet the Perseverance Speakers Academy Team
Vera Jones is a Motivational Speaker, Author, Communication Coach, 30-year veteran Television and Radio Broadcaster, and Syracuse University Hall-of-Fame Scholar-Athlete. She is most widely known for her veteran women’s basketball analysis and reporting for various networks over the past two decades including ESPN, Fox Sports, Madison Square Garden Network, NBA-TV, and the Big Ten Network. She is also often recognized by her appearance in a Goalcast video with over 47-million views.
Vera is a Certified Trainer in Workplace Conflict. She earned her master’s degree from S.U.’s prestigious Newhouse School of Communications where she first developed her interest in the psychology of interpersonal communication. As President of Vera’s VoiceWorks, LLC, and Founder of the Perseverance Speaker’s Academy, she passionately pursues her purpose by inspiring and coaching others in various motivational and leadership training forums.
Michelle Hernandez-Velozo is the administrative backbone of the Perseverance Speakers Academy. She brings nearly 23 years of experience supporting C-level executives and leaders, including over five years in New York City, where she realized that supporting top executives was work she truly enjoyed. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Barry University and an M.B.A. from Florida International University.
Michelle is an organizational specialist who oversees all administrative aspects of the academy, including onboarding speakers, scheduling training sessions, coordinating events, communicating with partners and sponsors, and supporting the Perseverance Speakers Academy mission overall. According to Founder Vera Jones, “Every great head coach recognizes winning is virtually impossible without great assistant coaches! Michelle is the most competent, passionate, diligent, and organized assistant I could have ever dreamed of. We make an awesome team and all of our speakers are very blessed to have her commitment, coordination, and expertise.”
Vera's Coaching Philosophy
Through being sheltered at home in a pandemic, inundated with negative, misleading media messages of a nation divided, we have slowly and subliminally lost KEY elements that help us through adversity – positive mindset and human connection.
Perhaps the change we seek lies in not being talked to, but in connecting to. It lies in directly connecting with. That is why I never coach speakers to just give a speech for people to hear.
“I coach speakers to share a story that people can feel.”
All Perseverance Speakers are coached to speak from an authentic foundation, which involves personal development training and self-introspection, which develops confidence. They are also trained to relate to the specific needs of their audiences and to deliver presentations that have the ability to affect emotions and transform mindsets.