Award-Winning Author, Content Creator, Entrepreneur, and Humanitarian
Connor Franta: Biography at a Glance
- Connor Franta is a YouTube creator and entrepreneur with more than 20 million followers across his social platforms.
- Well known for coming out on the internet, Connor is now the youngest board member of GLSEN, the non-profit organization working to end bullying and harassment for LGBTQIA+ youth.
- Working alongside the United Nations on their climate initiatives, Connor also uses his platform to raise awareness about the climate crisis and has been vocal about his journey to switching to a plant-based diet to combat climate change.
- He is the New York Times best-selling author of House Fires, A Work in Progress, and Note to Self which detail his journey with mental health, coming out, and navigating the digital age.
- He is the winner of the People's Choice Award for Favorite YouTube Star, Logo’s Social Trailblazer Award, as well as the Thirst Project’s Governor's Award for raising over $400,000 for The Thirst Project to provide clean, safe drinking water to people in Africa.
- Connor co-founded the music label Heard Well and launched the lifestyle brand Common Culture.
- On stage, Connor discusses topics ranging from entrepreneurship and social media to mental health and activism.
Media
Official YouTubeOfficial Site: Heard WellOfficial Site: Common CultureBook: Note to SelfBook: A Work in ProgressEntrepreneur: The Surprising Second Act for One of YouTube's Biggest StarsTeen Vogue: Connor Franta Talks About Going From YouTube Famous to Insta FamousTubefilter: Connor Franta To Headline Men’s Mental Health Campaign For DoSomethi...
Videos
Biography
Connor Franta is a bestselling author, photographer, digital creator, entrepreneur, and humanitarian. Over the past decade, Connor has amassed half a billion views on YouTube, garnered over 20 million followers across his social platforms, and is the CEO of lifestyle brand Common Culture and disruptive music label Heard Well.
Connor uses his expansive social platform to advocate for and spotlight the LGBTQIA+ community. He is the youngest board member of GLSEN, the non-profit org working to end bullying and harassment for LGBTQIA+ youth. He was honored by GLSEN for his deep commitment to LGBTQ youth. Through his online presence that touches millions of youth, he has elevated GLSEN programs, such as GLSEN’s Day of Silence, and most recently, all proceeds from his collaboration with Urban Outfitters went directly to GLSEN.
Connor also uses his platform to raise awareness about the climate crisis and has been vocal about his journey to switching to a plant-based diet to combat climate change. He works alongside the United Nations on their climate initiatives and was part of their high-level selection committee to choose the Young Leaders for the UN Sustainable Development Goals global initiative.
Connor wrote the New York Times best-selling memoir A Work in Progress, an intimate memoir about his journey from small-town boy to Internet sensation. He released a second New York Times bestselling book, Note to Self, which is full of raw, honest, and inspiring reflections on his own life as he's living it right now, as well as his observations about contemporary culture. His third book, House Fires, features a collection of narrative, poetry, and original film photography that reflect Connor's continued journey through adulthood.
His public speaking engagements have put him on the same stages as Prince Harry, Naomi Campbell, and Hillary Clinton while working with brands such as Google, Calvin Klein, Target, Samsung, and Nike. Outside of his work, Connor is a passionate marathon runner, vegetarian, world traveler, and member of the sustainable living movement.
Topics
A Work in Progress: Growing Up and Coming Out in the Digital Age
Connor Franta shares the lessons he has learned on his journey from small-town boy to Internet sensation—so far. In this conversation, Connor offers a look at his Midwestern upbringing as one of four children in the home and one of five in the classroom; his struggles with identity, body image, and sexuality in his teen years; and his decision to finally pursue his creative and artistic passions in his early twenties, setting up his thrilling career as a YouTube personality, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and tastemaker.
Exploring his past with insight and humor, his present with humility, and his future with hope, Connor reveals his private struggles while providing heartfelt words of wisdom for young adults. His words will resonate with anyone coming of age in the digital era, but at the core is a timeless message for people of all ages: don’t be afraid to be yourself and to go after what you truly want.
Authentic Activism in the Digital Age
As a pioneering social media creator, Connor Franta has developed an expansive platform that reaches tens of millions of people. With 14 years of experience, Connor now uses his voice to elevate the causes near and dear to him, including advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community, spotlighting critical climate action, and galvanizing progressive policy change. He remains one of the rare internet stars who has completely avoided controversy through his unique passion, communication, and desire to show the good every human being can do.
In this conversation, Connor discusses the importance of pursuing purpose in these modern times through curiosity and integrity - whether you will reach millions of people or even just one.
