Lesra Martin
Lazarus & The Hurricane
Over twenty years ago, Lesra Martin was trapped in the harrowing, violent streets of Bushwick. Illiterate and poor, he lived a life of little hope or promise. A simple subway ride changed his life - and others - forever. Through a series of incredible circumstances, he became the unlikely catalyst in the freeing of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, one of the U.S.'s most famous wrongly convicted prisoners. Along the way, he fought to change his own life, undergoing his own miraculous transformation into a university honour student, law school graduate, attorney, and inspirational speaker. His powerful story leaves audiences with the understanding and belief that each of us can turn coincidence into opportunity, and adversity into triumph.
Lesra Martin was once an inner city kid dismissed by society, yet his heart carried hope and courage. He effected profound change in the lives of many, including his own. “Young Lazarus,” Coretta Scott King once noted, “will win your heart.”
Lesra Martin’s heartrending story has mesmerized and inspired millions through the major Hollywood feature The Hurricane. Its’ star, Denzel Washington, marvelled over Lesra’s real life odyssey from a poorly educated Brooklyn teen to a respected attorney.
Inspired by his experiences, The National Film Board of Canada produced the documentary The Journey of Lesra Martin, and the compelling film has been screened at film festivals throughout Canada as well as the Hollywood Black Film Festival, The Urban Literary Film Festival (Greensboro, U.S.) and the 24th International Durban Film Festival, (Durban, South Africa).
He was invited to speak before the General Assembly delegates at the United Nations, where he gave an impassioned speech about the devastating effects of literacy and poverty, and at Cambridge University, where he spoke before world leaders. He has been featured on countless television and radio shows, most notably as a special guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Larry King Live. Dozens of newspaper and magazines articles from The New York Times and The Washington Post to Sports Illustrated and Reader’s Digest Magazine have chronicled aspects of his life. Lesra’s book, The Power of a Promise, was published in August 2009.
Lesra has built a dynamic speaking career that enables him to travel throughout North America. “The power to make a difference exists in each of us,” he tells audiences. He has shared his message of hope to thousands, appearing before corporate groups, community organizations, schools and universities. To name just a few, he has appeared as a keynote speaker for a wide variety of companies and organizations, including IBM, General Motors, Hewlett-Packard and the International Subway Corporation. He has delivered his heart felt message to Piney Woods School in Mississippi, Atlanta International School, Boston College, and Baylor University. He appeared before the Mel Goldberg Symposium on Justice in Minnesota, The Council of Exceptional Children in Washington DC, and many others.
Of his eight siblings, Lesra is the only one with a high school diploma. He completed high school as an Ontario scholar in 1983 and received an Honours B.A. from the University of Toronto in 1988. He achieved his law degree from Dalhousie Law School in 1997 and served as a Crown Prosecutor in Kamloops, BC. He now has his own law firm in British Columbia.
Lesra has received numerous awards and certificates of recognition for his willingness to be a role model and mentor for youth. He was acknowledged with a lifetime membership with the National Black Caucus of Special Educators, a division of the CEC (Washington, D.C.).
Hope, Heart and Human Spirit (H3)
Life presents us with many challenges. These challenges often test our strength, courage and our ability to grow. Despite hurdles and obstacles, we can never give in. Finding the strength to overcome, persevere, and to succeed in the face of adversity begins with maintaining HOPE, having HEART and believing in the power of the HUMAN SPIRIT. The importance of possessing these three characteristics form the basis of this keynote.Lazarus & The Hurricane
Literacy & Education
Showing the Way of the Power of One
"But for the kindness of strangers I wouldn't be here." –Lesra
These strangers are quintessential examples of what can happen when we embrace the notion that we all share this planet together. Drawing from past experience, Lesra shows audiences how he learned that the power of one to make a difference exists in each of us. The significance of the mark that we leave, now and tomorrow comes down to attitude and how we perceive the power we possess to contribute, individually and collectively. Activating and engaging the power of one starts with our ability, and willingness, to lend a hand. Lesra encourages us to "Put yourself in the picture!"The Justice System
“Thank you so much for the wonderful presentation. You gave an inspiring speech and people are still talking about it.”
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