Since the 2012 death of his son, Trayvon, in a violent confrontation, Tracy Martin has committed his life to transforming tragedy into change. Despite his devastating loss, Martin was able to channel his immeasurable heartache into the immense strength needed to elicit positive change. He now is fighting for the broad societal shift required to ensure that a similar incident never claims the life of another child.

Martin’s message of change extends to families from all walks of life. He encourages parents, relatives, caregivers and teachers to let their sons, daughters, and other loved ones know that their lives are valuable and to stress that they are loved no matter how society views them. He also emphasizes the dangers of judging a person’s character based solely on their appearance, as represented by his son’s iconic hoodie sweatshirt.

Although his son is gone, Martin hopes his tragic death helps to heal the country, acting as motivation for parents and caregivers to keep fighting for the safety of all children. Through his thought provoking speeches, Martin helps foster the necessary conversations that can help keep every family safe from needless violence.

By sharing his personal and powerful stories, Martin encourages diverse audiences – from colleges and legal professionals to community and family organizations – to become more educated on ways to keep their loved ones safe and empower themselves to become catalysts for social change.