Benjamin Carlton is an actor, activist, and author of I’m Black, I’m a Minister, and I’m Gay. He studied communications and received his MBA from Florida A & M University. In 2013, he co-founded BMe Community, a national movement of community builders led by Black people. BMe’s 400+ Fellows have raised over $400 million, earned 67 national awards and helped over 2 million families secure educational, economic, human rights, health and wellness opportunities.
Benjamin has trained the world’s leading authorities about equity, asset-framing, storytelling, and narrative change. Some of the organizations include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, CBS Viacom, The Obama Administration, GM Financial, Comcast Universal, and JP Morgan Chase.
In 2016, Benjamin came out as a gay minister in TheRoot.com that generated national discussion. The TEDx speaker took his message of authenticity on the road and encourages his audiences to live their best authentic lives every day. In 2021, he launched STAN for LOVE, a global tour designed to elevate the Black Queer experience.