Black Tie Dinner will honor Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, with the 2025 Kuchling Humanitarian Award in recognition of their national leadership and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth. Black will be celebrated at the 44th Annual Black Tie Dinner on Saturday, November 8, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.
The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. Black is its first Black nonbinary lesbian CEO. Before joining the organization, they served as President and CEO of Family Equality, a national nonprofit supporting current and future LGBTQ+ families.
As challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth continue to grow, Black has become a leading voice for safety, inclusion, and mental health. Their leadership has expanded access to life-saving services and elevated the urgent need for affirming care on a national stage.
“Jaymes’ tireless work and steady voice on behalf of LGBTQ+ families and suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ youth speaks volumes. They stand on the front lines, fearlessly advocating for our community across every platform,” said Black Tie Dinner Junior Co-Chair Deirdre Coleman. “Her roots, advocacy, and fight began right here in Dallas, and I’ve not only been proud to know them, but personally impacted by the call to action and empowerment they brought to BIPOC, transgender individuals, and all women here in the DFW LGBTQ+ community.”
A native of South Texas, Black moved to Dallas, where they found both community and their wife. It was also in Dallas that they felt called to leave the corporate world to pursue nonprofit leadership. Their commitment to uplifting LGBTQ+ causes makes them a deserving recipient of the 2025 Kuchling Humanitarian Award.
“I couldn’t be more excited to honor Jaymes with this award” said Black Tie Dinner Senior Co-Chair Liliana Villarreal. “Their advocacy and leadership for the LGBTQ+ community locally and nationally has helped create an impactful response no matter the obstacle or setbacks; truly embodying our theme for this year, Still We Rise.”
Named for the late Raymond Kuchling, a pioneering activist in Dallas’ LGBTQ+ community during the 1980s, the Kuchling Humanitarian Award honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions of time, talent, and leadership on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities with exclusive benefits for the 44th Annual Black Tie Dinner on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Sheraton Dallas are now available at blacktie.org.