2011 Keynote Speaker
Dhani Jones
Linebacker, National Football League
Chairman, Bow Tie Foundation
Dhani Jones is a Linebacker in the National Football League and Chairman of the Bow Tie Foundation. Mr. Jones received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan with a custom made major called Self-Representation. He considers himself an artist first and has a creative agency in New York City called VMG-Creative. He has also been the host of several television programs including The Travel Channel’s “Dhani Tackles the Globe” and “In the Zone with Dhani Jones”.
In 2000, Dhani was drafted by the New York Giants and it was his first time living in the Big Apple. His good friend Kunta Littlejohn, had some advice for Dhani; “If you want to be anybody, you have to rock a Bow Tie.” Dhani thought he was crazy and dismissed it.
At the time, Kunta was going through a tough recovery process from battling Lymphoma and Dhani had been searching for an avenue to support his friend. As clarity begets action, Dhani made the decision to don his first Bow Tie in quiet support for Kunta. Today, Kunta has fully recovered and Dhani never stopped rockin’ the Bow Tie.
In May 2010, Mr. Jones launched the “Bow Tie Cause” as his primary philanthropic endeavor. It was through the Bow Tie Cause that Dhani became a LIVESTRONG Global Envoy. He created a yellow themed Bow Tie inspired by LIVESTRONG, continuing the support of his friend Kunta, and the 28 million people across the globe fighting cancer.
Through the Bow Tie Cause, Dhani now provides others with an avenue to support a cause they believe in. What began as a way to support his friend has now become his main avenue to support others and their cause. He also opened the “Bow Tie Cafe” in September of 2010, which seeks to foster conversation of substance. Jones resides in Cincinnati but is a frequent traveler around the globe.
Linebacker, National Football League
Chairman, Bow Tie Foundation
Dhani Jones is a Linebacker in the National Football League and Chairman of the Bow Tie Foundation. Mr. Jones received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan with a custom made major called Self-Representation. He considers himself an artist first and has a creative agency in New York City called VMG-Creative. He has also been the host of several television programs including The Travel Channel’s “Dhani Tackles the Globe” and “In the Zone with Dhani Jones”.In 2000, Dhani was drafted by the New York Giants and it was his first time living in the Big Apple. His good friend Kunta Littlejohn, had some advice for Dhani; “If you want to be anybody, you have to rock a Bow Tie.” Dhani thought he was crazy and dismissed it.
At the time, Kunta was going through a tough recovery process from battling Lymphoma and Dhani had been searching for an avenue to support his friend. As clarity begets action, Dhani made the decision to don his first Bow Tie in quiet support for Kunta. Today, Kunta has fully recovered and Dhani never stopped rockin’ the Bow Tie.
In May 2010, Mr. Jones launched the “Bow Tie Cause” as his primary philanthropic endeavor. It was through the Bow Tie Cause that Dhani became a LIVESTRONG Global Envoy. He created a yellow themed Bow Tie inspired by LIVESTRONG, continuing the support of his friend Kunta, and the 28 million people across the globe fighting cancer.
Through the Bow Tie Cause, Dhani now provides others with an avenue to support a cause they believe in. What began as a way to support his friend has now become his main avenue to support others and their cause. He also opened the “Bow Tie Cafe” in September of 2010, which seeks to foster conversation of substance. Jones resides in Cincinnati but is a frequent traveler around the globe.