“Leaders run the dream. All leaders have the ability to create a compelling vision that takes people somewhere new, and then translate that vision into reality.” (Bennis, 188) There have been many visionary civil rights leaders in the history of the United States such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Huey P. Newton, Angela Davis, Reverend Al Sharpton, and Barack Obama. The most promising civil rights leader recently is Van Jones. Van Jones distinguishes himself from these other influential leaders by combining his enthusiasm for social equality and his passion for environmental activism. Van Jones believes that combining these two issues is critical to alleviating some of the problems of injustice plaguing America. In our Communicating Leadership course we learned about the key communication styles identified by Warren Bennis, through his book Becoming A Leader. Van Jones demonstrates an understanding of the major themes discussed in Becoming A Leader, such as understanding the basics of leadership, learning about the world, and shaping the future, attributable to the impact he has made in America through activism. Van Jones is renowned around the world as an achievement of being a trailblazer in human rights and the clean energy economy. He was born in 1968 in a rural town in Tennessee, where the values ​​of education and faith were instilled in him. These values ​​instilled in him by his family followed him into adulthood and allowed him to achieve many things. He embodies the leadership styles expressed in Bennis (2009), understanding the basics of leadership and knowing the world, which gives him the ability to shape the future. Van Jones contains all the ingredients of the basic leadership characterized by Benni. ..... middle of paper ...... y: How one solution can solve our two biggest problems. New York, NY: HarperOne.MARK, J. (2013). Conversation: Van Jones. Earth Island Journal, 28(2), 45-47.Mok, K. (2008, October 7). Book Review: The Green Collar Economy by Van Jones: TreeHugger. TreeHugger | Your source for news, commentary and advice on design and green living. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from http://www.treehugger.com/culture/book-review-the-green-collar-economy-by-van-jones.htmlVan Jones Biography - Climate Solutions. (n.d.). Home — Climate solutions. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from http://climatesolutions.org/programs/van-jones-biographyWho is Van Jones? Key Quotes from SOCAP11 | Innov8Social - Exploring social innovation. (2011, September 12). Innov8Social - Exploring social innovation. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from http://www.innov8social.com/2011/09/who-is-van-jones-key-quotes-from.html