Jonathan Perry

HIV/AIDS Activist, LGBTQ+ Rights Advocate, Inspirational Award Recipient

Travels From Travels From:
Louisiana, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
REQUEST BOOKING INFORMATION

Jonathan Perry Biography

Jonathan Perry is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, a historically Black college in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the first black, openly gay, HIV+ student at an HBCU to speak out in the United States. An ardent student activist, Perry not only organized forums on race and sexual orientation but also founded the university’s first official gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) organization.

Originally from Goldsboro, North Carolina, Perry contracted HIV in 2000 during a visit to the West Coast. "It took me a year to understand that I could very well die from this disease," he reflects, having fortunately not fallen ill from the infection since. Engaging in HIV-education programs on campus played a crucial role in helping him overcome the depression that nearly claimed his life. He publicly shared his story for the first time in 2002 during an assembly at Johnson C. Smith University, attended by over 150 students.

Perry’s activism gained significant recognition and led to his appearance on national platforms. His journey was notably highlighted when Oprah Winfrey invited him onto her show "Men Living on the Down Low" after reading about him on CNN.com in April 2004. Additionally, he was featured on BET’s "Open Mic" and on BET.com. During this period, Perry also completed a three-month consulting contract with the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles, California in September 2004.

Perry’s commitment to activism is evident in his role at significant events, such as delivering the keynote address at Harvard University’s first Unite Against AIDS Summit, where he was also honored as the first recipient of the Unite Against AIDS Inspiration Award. Recognized for his impactful contributions, POZ Magazine named him one of the six Superheroes of 2004, ranking him number three.

On the topic of his HIV status, Perry maintains a candid demeanor: "I’m the type of person who keeps all of my skeletons on the front door. That way when [someone] goes rambling in my closets, all they’ll find are clothes." Despite facing both public appreciation and criticism, he remains steadfast in his belief that the visibility and awareness he generates are vital: "It’s no longer about Jonathan. It’s about inspiring a hope that is born of responsibility and teaching people to be responsible for their own lives."

BOOK Jonathan Perry

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/12/2024.

Jonathan Perry Speaking Topics

  • Attitude, Diversity, Inspirational, Lifestyle

  • BAI: Black Media Round Table

  • Women & AIDS

  • Adolescent Sexuality

  • HIV & HBCU’s

  • The DownLow Discussion

Jonathan Perry Videos

  • Jonathan Perry on Oprah

FAQs on booking Jonathan Perry

  • How do I book Jonathan Perry to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Jonathan Perry 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 Jonathan Perry, 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 Jonathan Perry or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Jonathan Perry

    Speaking fees for Jonathan Perry, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Jonathan Perry are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jonathan Perry, 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 Jonathan Perry speak about?

  • Where does Jonathan Perry travel from?

    Jonathan Perry generally travels from Louisiana, 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 Jonathan Perry’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Jonathan Perry 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 Jonathan Perry for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Jonathan Perry or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Jonathan Perry is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Attitude, Diversity, Inspirational, Lifestyle, BAI: Black Media Round Table, Women & AIDS, Adolescent Sexuality, HIV & HBCU’s and The DownLow Discussion. The estimated speaking fee range to book Jonathan Perry for your event is $5,000 - $10,000. Jonathan Perry generally travels from LA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Malaak Compton, Van Jones, Bertice Berry, Kal Penn and Jalen Rose. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Jonathan Perry for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.

  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP