My Story

Jacoria Borders’ journey began in rural North Florida, where faith, family, and service weren’t just words; they were a way of life. Raised by a single mother who spent over three decades serving neighbors as a social worker, Jacoria learned early that authentic leadership means showing up, listening deeply, and leaving every space better than you found it.

The challenges Jacoria faced only sharpened her resolve and deepened her empathy. Her upbringing taught her the power of community, resilience, and hope, instilling a lifelong commitment to lifting others as she climbs. Her grounded perspective, coupled with relentless drive, took Jacoria from her small hometown to the national stage. At the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, she directed over $24 million in grants, leading initiatives that impacted everything from the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. She championed civic engagement, youth empowerment, and social justice, while also serving on the inaugural DEI Council for the entire Blank Family of Businesses. One of her proudest accomplishments was transforming Mercedes-Benz Stadium into one of Georgia’s largest early voting sites during the 2020 Senate Runoff, helping to shape civic life at a historic moment for Atlanta.

Her career continued to break new ground as she served at the White House, where her skills were put to work directing high-stakes engagements for the President, First Lady, and senior officials. She managed logistics, operations, and relationships behind some of the nation’s most visible diplomatic, cultural, and policy moments. As a key liaison between U.S. and foreign governments, Jacoria helped navigate complex geopolitical dynamics, including President Biden’s historic visit to Angola, the first by a sitting U.S. president, helping to solidify diplomatic ties and amplify American influence in the region.

What truly sets Jacoria apart isn’t just her experience, but her rare ability to bridge worlds. She’s just as comfortable in a boardroom as she is in a classroom, and she connects authentically with people from every walk of life, including both rural and urban settings, as well as corporate and grassroots organizations, across the C-suite and at the student level. Whether energizing a leadership summit, moderating international panels, or inspiring the next generation, Jacoria’s message rings true: Purpose, authenticity, and action drive real transformation.

A proud two-time graduate of an HBCU, Jacoria has earned national recognition for her leadership and service. She’s a 2024 FAMU 40 Under 40 honoree, a 2022 Emerging Leader in Philanthropy awardee from the Association of Black Foundation Executives, and the 2024 Outstanding New Member in the Southern Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She gives back through service on the Hands On Atlanta Changemakers Board, the ATL: Advance the Lives Advisory Board, as a New Leaders Council Fellow, LEAD Atlanta alum, and as Georgia Social Action Coordinator for Delta Sigma Theta, leading over 8,000 members in civic engagement statewide.

When you book Jacoria Borders, you’re not just bringing in a speaker; you're bringing in a strategic partner who understands the complexities of today’s world and knows how to move any audience to meaningful engagement in authentic ways. She brings vision and vulnerability, strategy and soul, and a rare ability to make every listener feel seen, valued, and empowered. Her journey proves that where you start never limits how far you can go or how much good you can do along the way.