In this powerful WayMaker Fireside Chat, Joel Leon—a renowned storyteller and cultural advocate, shares his journey from the Bronx to the global stage. Through vulnerability, creativity, and a commitment to truth-telling, Joel has used his voice to challenge narratives about Black masculinity, fatherhood, and identity. All of which has landed him on the WayMaker Top 50 list as a community champion using his voice to help others like him.
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0:00:00 – Meet Joel Leon: Storyteller, Speaker & Cultural Advocate
00:01:10 – Growing Up in the Bronx: Finding Creativity in Everyday Life
00:03:00 – Hip-Hop & Poetry: How Expression Became His Superpower
00:07:30 – The Role of Curiosity in Storytelling
00:10:00 – Fatherhood & Co-Parenting: Lessons from His TED Talk
00:12:45 – Challenging Narratives: Black Masculinity & Representation
00:18:40 – The Purpose of Storytelling: Connecting Through Vulnerability
00:22:00 – Current Book: Everything and Nothing at Once
00:24:45 – On Courage: Speaking Truth in Challenging Times