James Earl Jones Stands Up for Kids Who Stutter; Supports SAY and KINKY BOOTS' 'Just Be' Campaign

James Earl Jones said "I'm standing up for children who are trying to find their voice" and supporting SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young in the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots' new ad campaign. The campaign, which features six celebrities sporting the famous red boots, encourages people to live by the message of the show and "Just Be Who You Want To Be."

Taro Alexander, SAY's Founder & President noted, "SAY believes that every voice matters and we are thrilled that James Earl Jones - one of the most recognized and respected voices in the world - is supporting young people who stutter through this incredible campaign."

Over 70 million - 1 in every 100 people - stutter on a daily basis and young people who stutter often face unimaginable fear and cruelty from a world that doesn't understand them. Over time, young people may hide from the world, silencing themselves to conceal their stutter, embarrassment and shame. Young people who stutter may also feel incredibly isolated and alone, and many face daily ridicule, teasing and bullying.

Alexander said, "James Earl Jones not only sheds light on the serious issue of stuttering, but his gracious support, along with the producers of Kinky Boots through this important campaign, also helps underwrite program tuition so that families-in-need can enroll their children in SAY programs."

Noah Cornman, Executive Director added, "Since 2001, SAY has offered comprehensive, innovative programs that address the physical, social and emotional impacts of stuttering. For more than a decade, so many incredible children have come to SAY's programs in despair and we have witnessed the transformation that occurs when children who stutter develop the self-confidence, lasting friendships and support they need to express themselves fully." Learn more about the "Just Be" campaign at www.kinkybootsthemusical.com/justbe and The Stuttering Association for the Young at www.SAY.org.

About Kinky Boots' Just Be Campaign: KINKY BOOTS, the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, is about standing up for who you are and what you believe in, about being who you want to be and showing the world what you care about. This spring, 6 one-of-a-kind personalities put on a pair of dazzling red boots, sharing what the musical's message means to them and how they use their unique passions to help and inspire others. To learn more about the "Just Be" and the charities it supports, visit http://kinkybootsthemusical.com/justbe.

About SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young (formerly Our Time), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes that every voice matters and provides innovative programming that helps young people who stutter discover their own unique voices, building confidence and communication skills. Young people from all socioeconomic backgrounds enjoy access to our programming and in 2014 alone, more than $400,000 in financial aid is being provided to families in need. Learn more about SAY at www.SAY.Org and support SAY at www.say.org/support-say.