Valerie Jerome: Olympian, Educator & Award-Winning Author
A legacy of athletic achievement, community advocacy, and powerful storytelling.
Valerie Jerome is an Olympian, retired teacher, environmental activist, and award-winning author whose story reflects a deep commitment to justice, community, and historical truth. From participation in the Rome 1960 Olympics to school classrooms and international stages, Valerie has dedicated her life to advocacy, athletics, and education.
About Valerie Jerome
Born in St. Boniface, Manitoba in 1944 and raised in North Vancouver, Valerie Jerome has led an extraordinary life of impact. A Canadian track and field champion and 1960 Rome Olympian, Valerie later became a beloved teacher in Vancouver. She has been deeply involved in environmental advocacy and Black community leadership, including founding the Harry Jerome Commemorative Society.
RACES – The Book
RACES is a memoir about Black life in Canada—a personal, historical, and political story of racism, resilience, and triumph. It chronicles the experiences of the Jerome family, including Valerie’s brother, track legend Harry Jerome, while confronting the everyday realities of racial injustice in Canada.
Purchase Links:
Speaking Engagements
Valerie Jerome is a seasoned public speaker who brings decades of lived experience and advocacy to every audience. Previous Speaking Engagements:
Past Speaking Locations:
Halifax, Toronto, Markham, Owen Sound, Greater Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler, and University of Oregon.Most Requested Topics:
Racism in Canada, the power of allyship, Black history, and social/environmental justiceUniversities & colleges
Community libraries
Awards & Recognitions
Valerie’s Grade 5 class once testified at hearings to preserve the University of British Columbia Endowment Lands—now Pacific Spirit Park.
