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Meet Jack 

Award winning transformational leader

Jack Knoxville is the first Trans Masc candidate to have run for political office. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Trans Empowerment Project and a multi-award winning leader for change.

Jack Knoxville is a medium brown skinned man wearing glasses with short dark brown hair and is shown smiling

 Jack Knoxville – My Story

Growing up in the South, during the 90’s with little to no representation for LGBTQIA+ individuals or folks who looked like me in the slightest, I had to learn how to survive on my own and essentially “figure it out”.

What I figured out was that I was among the most marginalized members of the community and that others were unwilling to make space for me.

As a Disabled, Multi-racial, Trans/Intersex, person whose only agenda has been to thrive on this planet, I have spent my life building tables for myself and others who have deserved a seat for quite a while.

At the age of 14, I found myself homeless for the first time. Thanks to the many obstacles and barriers I encountered along the way, as a melanated queer member of society. It took nearly a decade before I began to find any semblance of footing for myself, though it would take yet another before I would finally have the opportunity to exist in this world as my authentic self.

Unfortunately, as I began my transition, I was fired from my job (for transitioning), and once again found myself struggling to have access to the resources I needed to just be.

In 2015, I became the first Trans Masc person to run for political office in the entire Southern United States, when I ran for Mayor in Knoxville, TN. After listening to the performative nonsense of yet another ‘ally’, the local mayor who would turn the local bridge rainbow but wouldn’t take a meeting with a Trans person, I became fed up.

Although I didn’t win the election, I learned enough to realize that 2TIGE (2Spirit, Trans, Intersex, and Gender Expansive) community members in this country deserve better!

Since then, I launched a 501c3 federally recognized nonprofit that has become one of the largest providers of direct aid in the country for the 2TIGE community, called Trans Empowerment Project.

 

 

I have worked with Jack at Planned Parenthood on a variety of projects. Jack is incredibly focused, diligent, kind and holds a strong values and skills alignment on every project we complete — making him not only an incredibly useful addition to any team, but also a delight to collaborate with no matter the occasion. I’m constantly learning from Jack’s vision, rigor, generosity, and insight.

Madeleine Durante, Director, Direct Response Retention”

What Kind of Work do I do?

I offer training and development for leaders who would like to lead without white supremacy.

I offer custom strategic solutions that are scalable, with outside of the box thinking for all of my clients.

Whether you’re looking for a leadership coach or someone to ensure that your work is truly equitable, you’re in the right place.  

Qualifications & Awards

Jack is an outspoken, award winning activist and advocate whose career has spanned across several different key areas of interest for creating change, from Trans rights to LGBTQIA+ rights, Environmentalism, Reproductive Rights, Homelessness, and more.  

Recognition

  • Wall of Tolerance Award Recipient
  • GAIN Power Award for Transformational Leadership
  • LGBTQ Nation’s Hometown Hero of the year

Experience

  • Founder, Free2Be
  • Founder, Trans Empowerment Project
  • Distributed Organizing Technology and Digital Communities Manager, Sierra Club
  • Engagement Coordinator, Sierra Club
  • Digital Organizer, Planned Parenthood Action Fund

What I Can Do For You

Speaking Events & Keynotes

Improving Equity in the Workplace

Mentorship & Coaching

Creating Strategic Campaigns for Change

Group Trainings

Organizing for Change and at Scale

Leadership Development

Power Building Through Digital Tech

Contact

Email

jacktivism101@gmail.com

Address

P.O. Box 12233 Jacksonville, NC 28546