James Lecesne has been telling stories for over 25 years. Not only are his stories incredibly human and compelling, they have inspired the creation of two organizations that are literally saving lives as well as changing them.

His short film, Trevor, the story of a gay 13 year-old boy who attempts suicide, won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short. It also inspired the founding of The Trevor Project, the only nationwide 24-hour suicide prevention helpline for GLBT and Questioning Teens. In addition to the helpline, The Trevor Project offers a digital community and advocacy and educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone.

Shortly after Hurricane Katrina, James traveled to New Orleans with a group of friends and fellow artists, and together they put on a production of the musical Once On This Island. Casting local kids and musicians and working with a local community center, they were able to offer four free performances and raise funds to keep the doors open.

The production was documented over a six-week period, and chronicled the lives and struggles of the young adults living in the storm-ravaged city. The completed film, After The Storm, became a springboard for James to create the After The Storm Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to youth and the arts in community centers throughout New Orleans.

An author as well, James' young adult novel, Absolute Brightness, received The William C. Morris Award by the American Librarian Association, and was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. His newest book, Virgin Territory, published in 2010, explores the power of faith and our need to believe in miracles. James also adapted Armistead Maupin's Further Tales of the City as a miniseries for Showtime, garnering an Emmy nomination, and wrote for the TV series Will & Grace. He also created the stage play, The Road Home: Stories of the Children of War, based on interviews with survivors of wars in Tibet, Bosnia and Cambodia, and presented at the International Peace Conference at The Hague.

As an actor, James has performed in plays all over the country, and he won the NY Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for his solo show, Word of Mouth, directed by Eve Ensler and produced by Mike Nichols and Elaine May.

James also lectures nationwide and has taught at several institutions, including the NYU School of Continuing Education and the New York Film Academy. He was a distinguished Guest Speaker at the Heller Graduate School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, where his seminar, "Sharing the Truth: Effective Storytelling for Social Justice Activists" included participants from 11 countries.

SPEECH TOPICS:

The Trevor Project

James’ Academy Award-winning film, Trevor, is the story of a 13-year-old boy who begins to realize that he’s gay.  Shunned by his friends, misunderstood by his family and unable to accept the fact that he is different, Trevor tries to kill himself.  Happily, he doesn’t go through with it, but the film stands as a humorous and poignant reminder that what makes us different is what can save us in the end. As a result of the film, The Trevor Project was born.  The nation’s only 24-hour  suicide prevention helpline for GLBT and Questioning Teens, it takes thousands of calls and offers advocacy and educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone. James talks about The Trevor Project got started, the work they do, the issues surrounding this very timely topic, and what communities can do to help.

Using Story as a Means To Create Social Change

James Lecesne knows firsthand the power of storytelling. His stories have resulted in the creation of two life-changing non-profit organizations, The Trevor Project, and the After The Storm Foundation. In this fascinating and inspiring presentation, James shows how to use story to connect with people--be they customers, supporters, or simply the community at large.

Stories—properly told—can have major impact in expanding your organization’s social sphere and influence in the world. James teaches how to build a story, the structure of a good story, and the key components you should include in your story in order to build grassroots change and create connections between people.

Business, Activists, Authors, Entrepreneurship