Jaymes Black
Jaymes Black | |
|---|---|
| Born | Texas, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Colorado Technical University |
| Occupation | CEO of The Trevor Project |
| Years active | 2024–present |
Jaymes Black is an American nonprofit executive who serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Trevor Project since July 15, 2024.[1] The Trevor Project is a nonprofit organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services specifically for LGBTQ+ young people.[2]
Early life and education
Jaymes Black grew up in South Texas in a conservative environment and has described their childhood as difficult due to their queer identity.[3] In their teenage years, they struggled with isolation and chose to leave high school after their relationship with a girlfriend was outed publicly.[4] Later in life, Black completed a bachelor’s degree Strayer University and then completed an MBA from Colorado Technical University.[5]
Career
Before joining The Trevor Project, Black's career included both corporate and nonprofit sectors. They held a senior leadership role at Charles Schwab before transitioning to nonprofit leadership.[6] In 2021, Black became President and CEO of Family Equality, an organization supporting LGBTQ+ families. There they led efforts in advocacy, community building, storytelling, fundraising, and overseeing operations.[7]
Leadership at The Trevor Project
On July 15, 2024, Jaymes Black became the Chief Executive Officer of The Trevor Project, marking several firsts as the organization’s first Black, first nonbinary, and first openly queer CEO.[8] In early 2025, they improved the organization's U.S. crisis services. This plan included increasing staff focused on direct support, optimizing operations, and expanding their technology.[9]
Response to federal policy changes
In June 2025, the U.S. federal government decided to end funding for the LGBTQ+ “Press 3” option on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a service provided in partnership with The Trevor Project.[10] The change was set to take effect on July 17, 2025.[11] Black strongly criticized the decision as “devastating” and called it a politicization of suicide prevention, emphasizing the harm it could cause LGBTQ+ youth.[12] They urged Congress to act to preserve the service and stressed that The Trevor Project would continue its 24/7 support independently.[13]
References
- ^ "Trevor Project announces new CEO, Jaymes Black, to helm the LGBTQ suicide prevention nonprofit". NBC News. 2024-07-10. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ News, Trevor (2024-07-10). "The Trevor Project Names Jaymes Black as New Chief Executive Officer". The Trevor Project. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "The journey of an LGBTQ+ rights advocate: Jaymes Black tells their story". www.advocate.com. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ Owen, Greg. "America devalues queer families. Jaymes Black is lifting them up". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ "Jaymes Black". Unleashed LGBTQ+. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ "The journey of an LGBTQ+ rights advocate: Jaymes Black tells their story". Yahoo Life. 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ "The 2024 Out100: Jaymes Black". www.out.com. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ Tammye (2024-07-10). "Jaymes Black named new Trevor Project CEO". Dallas Voice. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ News, Trevor (2025-01-17). "Transforming The Trevor Project". The Trevor Project. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Jones, C. T. (2025-06-18). "Trump Administration Cuts LGBTQ-Specific Care From Suicide Hotline". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ Singh, Kanishka; Singh, Kanishka (2025-06-18). "US to end LGBT suicide prevention service, says general hotline sufficient". Reuters. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ Svirnovskiy, Gregory (2025-06-18). "Trump administration to end LGBTQ+-specific crisis hotline". POLITICO. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ Ables, Kelsey; Cox, John Woodrow; Blaskey, Sarah; McClain, Matt; Hax, Carolyn; Allison, Natalie; Bogage, Jacob; King, Colbert (2025-06-19). "Trump administration will shut LGBTQ youth-focused suicide prevention line". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2025-06-21.