Lesra Martin

Keynote Speaker | Kelowna, British Columbia

Lawyer & Advocate Systematic Racism & Discrimination Expert

Lesra Martin Expertise Alliances & Partnerships, Cultural Diversity, Accessibility, Inclusive Leadership, Racial Justice, Mindset & Goal Accomplishment, Conflict Resolution, Influence & Negotiation and Influencial Voices & Thought Leaders.

Lesra Martin

About Lesra Martin

Lesra Martin is an acclaimed lawyer who helped bring about the release of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, defining what it means to make a difference. Lesra Martin was trapped in the harrowing, violent streets of Bushwick. Illiterate and poor, he lived a life of little hope or promise. An incredible saga that would take Lesra out of the inner city and into a new life in Canada where he would face one of the most painful challenges of his life. He dedicated his life and career to equity, diversity & inclusion (ED&I) to shift the outcomes for others who are faced with barriers and challenges of racism, systematic discrimination and oppression in Canada.

Lesra Martin Videos

Lesra Martin: Only You Can Make You Happy

Lesra Martin: We All Have a Purpose

Lesra Martin: Life as a Teenager

Lesra Martin Life Literacy Ambassador Interview

Lesra Martin Speaks on Putting Yourself in the Picture

Lesra Martin Interviews & Podcasts

Lesra Martin Speaks on Putting Yourself in the Picture

Lesra Martin: Life as a Teenager

Freedom Matters to Lesra Martin.

LESRA MARTIN BIOGRAPHY

Lesra Martin grew up in a place where day-to-day survival was a grim reality. Born in 1963, he was the second eldest son out of Earl and Alma Martin’s eight children. Although the family was poor, his parents managed to instill in him a sense of responsibility and hard work. But his father’s ill health, his parents’ drinking problems, and a series of family misfortunes eventually pushed the Martins from a comfortable, middle class life in Queens on to welfare, and the dangerous, nightmare streets of Bushwick.

By age 10, Lesra’s family depended on his job bagging groceries to buy food. At 11, the malnourished kid with the toothy, ragged grin was working in a bar, sweeping floors and saving his tips to buy extra rice and beans for his siblings. Life was a relentless day-to-day struggle, a balance between hope and despair. Gang life literally consumed Lesra’s oldest brother, and by his teens, Lesra faced much the same bleak future. In July, 1979, accompanied by his father to show him the way, hopped on to a subway train and journeyed to a new summer job at a Brooklyn environmental lab. Lesra Martin was befriended by a group of Canadian entrepreneurs who were visiting the lab. Attracted to his “….spark and light and curiosity…” they saw a bright kid bursting with potential who had few real opportunities in life. Their unexpected friendship sparked an incredible saga that would take Lesra Martin out of the inner city and into a new life in Canada where he would face one of the most painful challenges of his life.

In spite of their many hardships and burdens, the Martin family was held together by a deep and enduring bond. Lesra Martin will never forget the look of pain on his parents’ faces when they were faced with an agonizing choice: to keep him in Bushwick with his family, where gangs, prison, or drugs would eventually rob him of a future; or to allow him to accompany a group of strangers to a foreign land with the promise of helping him further his education. Lesra Martin was torn between the generous offer and the responsibility he felt towards his family. Yet he wanted to leave, and ultimately, his parents found the courage to let him go.

The journey of Lesra Martin brought him to Toronto in the fall of 1979, hopeful about his new life. It didn’t take long for his tutor to discover that Lesra was functionally illiterate. Thus, began Lesra’s incredible, pain-filled journey to learn to read and write. Bolstered by the Canadians’ compassion and dedicated commitment, he spent the next several years fighting the devastating psychological and emotional scars that stemmed from his life of poverty in the ghetto. For years, Lesra was tormented by inner voices that told him he was “too dumb and stupid” to learn. He was afraid of books, afraid of words.

Along the way, Lesra found the courage to face his fears, inspired in part by “The Sixteenth Round”, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter’s searing account of his wrongful imprisonment for the 1966 murders of three New Jersey residents. Taking heart from Carter’s spirit in the face of extreme adversity, Lesra Martin wrote the world renowned boxer setting into motion a friendship between himself, The Hurricane Carter, and the Canadians that led to a five year fight that helped win Carter’s release from prison in November, 1985. By then, Carter had spent nearly 20 years in jail. That unique, fateful friendship between Carter, Lesra, and the Canadians resulted in the 1992 book “Lazarus and The Hurricane.” In turn, the book inspired the recent Universal movie “The Hurricane.”

The life lessons encountered on the journey of Lesra Martin and Rubin Carter’s book provided the breakthrough Lesra needed in his struggle for literacy; the Canadians provided the dedication and commitment Lesra needed to prove himself capable of overcoming his fears. Lesra graduated as an Ontario Scholar in 1983, then later completed an Honours BA in anthropology at the University of Toronto in 1988. He studied for his Master’s in Sociology at Dalhousie University. Later, in 1997, he earned his law degree from Dalhousie Law School. After he articled with a Vancouver law firm, he served as a Crown Prosecutor (similar to a district attorney) in Kamloops, British Columbia.

In 1995, while attending Dalhousie, he met fellow law student Cheryl Tynes, a Halifax native. Love grew out of a deeply committed friendship, and they married in 1998. Cheryl was called to the bar in September, 1999. “I began a journey at 15,” Lesra says, remembering his life in the ghetto, “a journey to find a consistent pace, a belief I’d live in a safe community, with food on the table, and the eventual hope that I’d find someone to love. In the end, it became so much more.”

Once, on a 1996 trip to New York to visit his family with Cheryl, Lesra sat and studied the people on his subway car. Suddenly he felt an overwhelming sense of fear; what if he hadn’t made the subway car on that day back in July, 1979? What if he hadn’t met the Canadians? He knew the answer: he’d likely be in prison or strung out on drugs, or dead.

His parents had many problems; their lives were infused with constant struggle and hardships. Yet Lesra realized that his parents, by allowing him to leave the only home and family he knew, gave him a precious gift that brought hope and optimism. “I’ll never forget who I am and where I came from,” he says. “I am who I am because of my life in the ghetto. I never take anything for granted. Every day is a gift.” Lesra Martin once inner city kid dismissed by society, carried hope and courage along his path to affect profound change in the lives of many, including his own. His journey featured in a Hollywood film, Lesra Martin helps recognize behaviours and systems that are in the way of improving the Black Lives in Canada and the USA.

Lesra has changed directions in his own life since the release of the movie “The Hurricane.” He has embarked on a career as a motivational speaker, appearing before the United Nations, speaking at “Literacy 2000″ hosted by Correctional Services Canada, and was the keynote speaker for The Council for Exceptional Children symposium in New Mexico. He has appeared before many community and corporate groups, and literacy foundations. In April, 2000, he was honoured with an award from the Council for Exceptional Children. Lesra Martin now lives in Kamloops, BC operating a family-run, locally owned and operated business serving clients throughout the interior of British Columbia.

 

Lesra Martin Topic Presentations

Lesra Martin Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada delivers keynote presentations, workshops, fireside chats, moderated Q&A, and other presentation formats on a wide variety of topics. Each presentation is unique, customized and tailored for audiences, industries, conferences and event formats.

From Illiteracy to Law: The Power of Possibility

Justice, Adversity, and the Human Spirit

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Hope, Courage, and Change: Building a Better Tomorrow

Lesra Martin Books & Articles

The Power of a Promise
The Power of a

Lesra Martin's secret is that he believes that neither your intellect nor your circumstances will ultimately determine your success in...

His Journey Featured in a Hollywood Film, Lesra Martin Helps Recognize Students Who Improve Black Lives
His Journey Featured in a Hollywood Film, Lesra

At age 15, Lesra Martin was poor, illiterate and navigating a tough inner-city New York neighbourhood. But his life changed forever after a...

The Hurricane Tapes: Lesra Martin, the Canadian Commune & Rubin Carter's Road to Freedom
The Hurricane Tapes: Lesra Martin, the Canadian

In 1967, middleweight boxer Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter and John Artis were convicted of triple murder in the United States. They spent almost...

Lesra Martin Speaking Testimonials

"Thank you so much for the wonderful presentation. You gave an inspiring speech and people are still talking about it.  "

Ottawa Life Sciences Council

"What can we say? Lesra’s ‘performance’… was a significant factor in the success of our inaugural ‘Strength through Adversity’ fund raising event. We know you have heard accolades from many — but please accept … an official thank you from the planning team. We could not have achieved our goal without your involvement  "

G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia

"By speaking to others about your life experiences, you not only proved that anything is possible with the right mindset, but also your stories and examples inspired students to follow their dreams and stand by their values  "

Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Six O’Clock Series

"His unique and poised public speaking style was a pleasure to listen to. Anyone can stand in front of a podium and preach about commitment and success, but it isn’t every day that someone like Lesra comes along with his story… effective and inspiring…  "

Student
Atlanta International School, Georgia

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lesra Martin known for and what is their expertise as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Lesra Martin is known for defined subject matter expertise based on professional experience and industry background. As a keynote speaker in Canada for conferences and conventions, their presentations align with organizational objectives and audience outcomes. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada are selected based on credibility, relevance, and practical application. Expertise alignment supports informed booking decisions. Read More

What topics does Lesra Martin speak on for conferences, conventions, corporate events, and annual general meetings in Canada?

Lesra Martin delivers keynote presentations on defined topic areas confirmed during booking. Canadian business speakers for corporate meetings in Canada align topic selection with event objectives and audience priorities. Conference speakers in Canada adapt messaging for conventions, trade shows, and summits. Topics are finalized prior to written confirmation. Read More

How do I know if Lesra Martin is the right fit for my audience, conference, convention, or AGM?

Lesra Martin is evaluated based on audience alignment, event objectives, and subject matter relevance. Event planners booking keynote speakers in Canada for corporate conferences review experience, delivery style, and industry context. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings must align with program goals and audience expectations. Fit is clarified during the pre decision call. Read More

Where is Lesra Martin from and where do they speak across Canada?

Lesra Martin is from Kelowna, British Columbia and is available for events across Canada. Conference speakers in Canada frequently travel nationally with defined travel terms. Corporate keynote speakers coordinate scheduling through structured agreements. Availability is confirmed through formal inquiry. Read More

Is Lesra Martin available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, webinars, or hybrid events in Canada?

Lesra Martin is available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, corporate webinars, and hybrid events in Canada. Virtual keynote speakers in Canada deliver structured presentations adapted for remote audiences. Format, platform coordination, and timing are confirmed during booking. Virtual availability is documented through written agreement in Canada. Read More

Does Lesra Martin deliver keynote presentations, workshops, training sessions, breakout sessions, fireside chats, or panel discussions?

Lesra Martin may deliver keynote presentations as well as workshops and breakout sessions. Canadian business speakers for corporate training in Canada define session length and format during booking. Conference speakers may also participate in fireside chats or panel discussions depending on program design. Session formats are confirmed in writing. Read More

How do I contact Lesra Martin to check availability and begin the booking process in Canada?

Lesra Martin is contacted through Speakers Bureau of Canada to confirm availability and event details. Event planners and meeting planners typically schedule a pre decision call to clarify format, objectives, and scope. Booking begins once event requirements are defined. Written confirmation follows agreement execution. Read More

How do I book Lesra Martin for a conference, convention, trade show, summit, or corporate meeting in Canada?

Lesra Martin is booked through a structured agreement process confirming availability, fee structure, and logistics. Booking keynote speakers in Canada for conventions and trade shows includes written contracts and defined payment terms. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings require scope confirmation before date holds convert to confirmed status. Booking is finalized upon agreement execution. Read More

How much does it cost to book Lesra Martin as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Lesra Martin keynote speaker fees depend on event type, audience size, format, and location. The cost to book a keynote speaker in Canada varies based on preparation scope and delivery structure. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada confirm fees through a booking agent and written agreement. Final pricing reflects defined scope and contract terms. Read More

Are there additional costs to hire Lesra Martin for a corporate event, convention, or trade show in Canada?

Additional costs to hire Lesra Martin may include travel expenses, extended sessions, workshops, meet and greets, emcee duties, or event host roles. Keynote speakers in Canada for business conventions often separate honorarium from travel and related logistics. Canadian business speakers confirm these components in writing before agreement execution. All additional costs are outlined contractually. Read More

How far in advance should I book Lesra Martin for a conference, convention, or business meeting in Canada?

Lesra Martin should be booked once event dates, location, and format are confirmed. Conference speakers in Canada often secure dates several months in advance. Corporate keynote speakers for annual general meetings may have limited availability during peak seasons. Early inquiry improves confirmation certainty. Read More

Is Lesra Martin represented by an agent in Canada and how is the agreement handled?

Lesra Martin is represented by Speakers Bureau of Canada for booking coordination and agreement management. Keynote speakers in Canada often work through an agency to formalize contracts and payment handling. Agent representation ensures structured communication between organizers and the speaker. Representation clarifies agreement terms before confirmation. Read More