Jaymes Black
(they/she/he pronouns) makes history as the first Black and first
nonbinary CEO of the nonprofit organization
NEW
YORK, July 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis
intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
queer & questioning (LGBTQ+) young people, announced
Jaymes Black (they/she/he pronouns)
as its new Chief Executive Officer. Black, an accomplished senior
leader with more than 20 years of experience managing high
performing teams at scale, is stepping in to lead the organization,
effective July 15. Black will succeed
Peggy Rajski (she/her), a founder
and decades-long Board Member who stepped in as Interim CEO in
2022.
"We are overjoyed to welcome Jaymes to
Trevor," said Peggy Rajski, Founder
and Interim CEO of The Trevor Project.
Black's substantial expertise blends nonprofit and corporate
competencies, and spans business and community leadership, LGBTQ+
advocacy and coalition building, fundraising strategy and
innovation, large budget oversight and financial acumen, call
center operations and user experience, and more. In addition to
their extensive professional qualifications, they identify as a
Black nonbinary lesbian – bringing compelling lived experience that
will help The Trevor Project work toward its mission to end suicide
among LGBTQ+ young people.
"I am elated and deeply honored to step into the role of CEO at
The Trevor Project for so many reasons – especially since this is
an organization I desperately needed myself as a queer young person
growing up in South Texas,"
said Jaymes Black (they/she/he
pronouns), incoming CEO at The Trevor Project. "Right now, far
too many queer and transgender young people are struggling with
thoughts of suicide and other mental health challenges – not
because of who they are, but because of how they are mistreated and
stigmatized by other people. I know what that feels like, first
hand. I also know this is an enormously difficult moment for both
Trevor and the young people we serve. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and
the dangerous, demeaning rhetoric surrounding it has reached a
record high in this country, and LGBTQ+ young people are constantly
being exposed to messages that attempt to invalidate their very
identities. As CEO, it is my job to reinforce that LGBTQ+ young
people have so many more people who love and support them exactly
as they are, than those who wish them harm. This work won't be
easy, but I am ready to roll my sleeves up to help create a world
in which all LGBTQ+ young people feel safe, accepted, and free to
thrive as their truest selves."
Prior to joining Trevor, Black served as President & CEO at
Family Equality, the leading national organization for current and
future LGBTQ+ families. Family Equality works to ensure everyone
has the freedom to find, form, and sustain their families by
advancing LGBTQ+ equality through advocacy, support, storytelling,
and education.
"We are thrilled to welcome Jaymes as our new CEO at such a
critical moment for The Trevor Project, and for the LGBTQ+ young
people we serve," said Julian
Moore (he/him), Chair of The Trevor Project's Board of
Directors. "The search for Trevor's new leader was rigorous and
throughout the process, Jaymes established themself as a sort of
'unicorn' candidate. Their history of successful leadership in
finance, technology, and business, combined with leading and
growing an LGBTQ+ nonprofit during a historically challenging time
for our community, makes Jaymes a uniquely remarkable fit. The role
of CEO is a big job, and we are more than confident in Jaymes'
ability to lead The Trevor Project forward."
Prior to leading Family Equality, Black had a seasoned career in
the corporate sector, where they held a variety of senior
leadership roles, including at companies such as Charles Schwab, Sabre Corporation, and Northrop
Grumman. Black has an MS in Management and was honored on The 2022
Out Magazine's Out100 list — a compilation of the year's most
impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people.
Statement from Kelley Robinson
(she/her), President, Human Rights Campaign:
"Our movement is facing an urgent moment where we must both meet
the needs of our people today and fight for a future where there
are laws, policy, and the type of representation for us to get
free. This is also a defining moment as movement leaders seek to
meet the demands and build organizations that can create the kind
of impact our communities deserve. Jaymes uniquely gets this."
Statement from Nadine Smith
(she/her), Co-Founder & CEO at Equality
Florida:
"Jaymes Black's
leadership at The Trevor Project comes at a crucial time for LGBTQ
youth and families facing extremist attacks. With a deep
understanding of our community's needs and a strong commitment to
innovative problem-solving, Jaymes will guide The Trevor Project in
meeting current challenges and building a stronger, and more
resilient organization."
"We are overjoyed to welcome Jaymes to Trevor, and they are
well-positioned to lead the organization into its next chapter,"
said Rajski. "For more than 26 years, The Trevor
Project has been providing high-quality, life-saving crisis
intervention and suicide prevention services to our beloved LGBTQ+
young people. When I founded the organization back in 1998, I never
imagined it would grow to such heights. I know that Jaymes – and
their decorated background – will usher the organization through
its next phase, continuing our critical work supporting LGBTQ+
young people for generations to come."
"We are immensely grateful to Peggy
Rajski for stepping in at the Board's request as The Trevor
Project's Interim CEO, and stabilizing the organization during a
period of significant change," continued Moore. "Peggy's
leadership has enabled The Trevor Project to serve more LGBTQ+
youth in crisis than ever before. We're thankful for Peggy's
support as Jaymes steps into their role as the organization's new
CEO. As a Founder of The Trevor Project in 1998, Peggy has
continued her deep commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ youth mental
health for longer than 26 years, and her positive impact will
continue as she returns to her seat on the Board."
Rajski will support Black's transition as the Special Advisor to
the CEO, then return to her role on the organization's Board.
If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor
Project's trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at
1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by
texting START to 678678.
MEDIA CONTACT:
press@thetrevorproject.org
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SOURCE The Trevor Project, Inc