Van Jones Biography
Van Jones is a well-known American political analyst, lawyer, author, media personality, and civil rights advocate. He’s a significant figure in the realms of politics and social justice, boasting three New York Times bestselling books, an Emmy Award, and a long-standing role as a host and contributor at CNN.
In 2009, he took on the role of Special Advisor for Green Jobs under President Barack Obama. The next year, he became a distinguished visiting fellow at Princeton University. Over the years, he has founded or co-founded several impactful nonprofit organizations, such as the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Color of Change, and Dream Corps. Dream Corps is dedicated to initiatives that tackle criminal justice reform, promote technology inclusion, and advocate for environmental issues.
At CNN, Jones has either hosted or co-hosted shows like Crossfire, The Messy Truth, The Van Jones Show, and The Redemption Project with Van Jones. He’s also a familiar face as a political commentator for the network. Beyond television, he wrote the book The Green Collar Economy, which delves into environmental innovation and economic opportunities.
Additionally, Jones co-founded Magic Labs Media, which created the WEBBY Award-winning digital series Messy Truth and the Emmy Award-winning The Messy Truth VR Experience with Van Jones.
Outside of his media and activism work, Jones was the CEO of the REFORM Alliance, a criminal justice reform initiative started by Jay-Z and Meek Mill. He also had a long-standing partnership with the legendary musician Prince, serving as a collaborator and advisor.
Van Jones Age
How old is Van? He is 57 years old as of 2026. Jones was born on September 20, 1968, in Jackson, Tennessee, in the United States of America. In addition, he commends his birthday on the 20th of September each year.
Van Jones Education
He was enrolled and graduated from Jackson Central-Merry High School. He later attended and graduated from Tennessee University at UT Martin with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and communication.
Van Jones Nationality
Van is of American nationality and citizenship. In addition, Van was born and grew up in Jackson, Tennessee, in the United States of America. Besides, he belongs to the black heritage.
Van Jones Height | Measurements
Van stands approximately at the height of 5 feet 8 inches (Approx. 1.75 m) tall, as Van is a man of average stature. However, he has not disclosed any information regarding his other body measurements in the public domain.
Van Jones Family | Parents
Van was born and grew up in Jackson, Tennessee, in the United States under the loving care of his parents. Besides, his father Willie Anthony Jones, and his mother Loretta Jean. His mother, Loretta served as a High School teacher while Anthony was a middle school principal. Jones was raised along with his twin sister Angela. Furthermore, his grandfather was a leader in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
Van Jones Wife | Children | Partner
Jones was hitched to his ex-wife called Jana Carter. Besides, the couple tied their wedding knot in 2005. However, the pair divorced in the year 2019. The two share two children together. Their children are; Mattai and Cabral.
Van Jones Salary
Van earns a quite good amount from serving as a news and political commentator, author, and lawyer for CNN as the contributor and host of the CNN podcast. Therefore, his estimated salary is $210,000 as of 2022.
Van Jones Net Worth
Jones has been working in the media industry for quite some time now. In addition, Van has been able to accumulate a decent wealth over the years. Therefore, his estimated net worth is $6 million as of 2022.
Van Jones | Kim Kardashian
Van met Kim Kardashian while serving with the Donald Trump administration and Kim Kardashian. In addition, Jones and #cut50 were involved in helping to pass the First Step Act. Nevertheless, this is a criminal reform bill the New York Times called “The most influential changes in a generation” to national crime and sentencing laws.
Early Career
Van Jones began his early legal and activist career working with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, which brought him to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1992 as a legal observer. In 1995, he helped launch Bay Area PoliceWatch, a pioneering hotline and lawyer-referral service dedicated to assisting victims of police abuse. The program quickly gained attention, reportedly receiving around fifteen calls each day from people seeking legal support and guidance.
CNN and Television Career
In June 2013, Jones was announced as one of the co-hosts of CNN’s revived political debate program Crossfire, alongside Newt Gingrich, Stephanie Cutter, and S. E. Cupp. The reboot premiered in September 2013 but was canceled the following year.
Jones later expanded his television presence with several CNN programs. In 2016, he launched The Messy Truth, a documentary and discussion series exploring political and social divisions in America. This was followed by The Messy Truth with Van Jones in 2017. In 2018, he debuted The Van Jones Show, featuring interviews with influential public figures, with Jay-Z appearing as the first guest.
In 2019, Jones introduced The Redemption Project with Van Jones, a series centered on restorative justice. The show brought together offenders and those affected by violent crimes in conversations aimed at healing, accountability, and understanding.
#cut50 and Criminal Justice Reform
In 2015, Jones co-founded #cut50, a bipartisan initiative dedicated to reducing the U.S. prison population by 50 percent over a ten-year period. The organization promoted criminal justice reform through collaboration between leaders from across the political spectrum. One of its early events included a bipartisan summit featuring Newt Gingrich to discuss reform proposals.
The initiative attracted support from celebrities and activists, including Alicia Keys, who publicly advocated for criminal justice legislation. Numerous public figures also endorsed the effort, including Amy Schumer, Stephen Curry, Edward Norton, Chris Pine, Jessica Chastain, and television producer Shonda Rhimes.
In May 2018, Jones and fellow #cut50 members met at the White House with Jared Kushner and President Donald Trump to discuss bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation.
