On Monday, August 1, 2011, over 400 government officials, nonprofit leaders, including representatives of the Harold and Kayrita Anderson Family Foundation, concerned citizens, and survivors-turned-thrivers convened at Georgia State University to discuss human trafficking and what we, as a community, can do to combat it.  This summit, “Building Bridges: Uniting to Combat Human Trafficking in Georgia” was hosted by the US Attorney’s Office Northern District of Georgia, the Governor’s Office of Children and Families, and other governmental officials and law enforcement.  Sally Quillian Yates, US Attorney, facilitated the event.

The summit began with a few introductions, including an address by Governor Nathan Deal.  Governor Deal spoke about the tragedies associated with trafficking and encouraged everyone in attendance to work collectively to take Atlanta off the map as a hotspot for human trafficking.  The summit continued with a series of panel discussions.  The panelists were individuals whose professions and personal experiences exposed them to the horrors of human trafficking.  Kaffie McCullough and Keisha Head of A Future. Not A Past., a partner of the Harold and Kayrita Anderson Family Foundation, were panelists in the afternoon sessions.  Kaffie and Keisha, who have been advocating for the abolition of child prostitution in Georgia for years, provided up-to-date information and sophisticated insight to those in attendance.

The panels offered a uniquely integrated approach to the discussion of human trafficking.  For example, during the morning session, attorneys, detectives, and survivors-turned-thrivers discussed particular cases in which they all were involved.  They talked about the arrest of the pimps and the anti-trafficking laws under which they were prosecuted.  The survivors-turned-thrivers added their own perspective of how they were coerced, how they suffered, how they were rescued, and where they are in their restorative journey.  This holistic approach to the issue humanized the legislation, gave due credit to law enforcement and attorneys, and celebrated the bravery of those who suffered at the hands of pimps.

After discussing the summit with other attendees and panelists, it became clear that this one-day conference was different from similar events held in the past.  One panelist described it as, “The ethos in the room was different . . . the people seemed truly engaged and thankful to be equipped with such useful information regarding their ability to effect positive change around this issue.”  It is true; people were genuinely enthused and ready to raise their community’s awareness of human trafficking.  It is happening in our own backyards and it’s up to us to fight this evil and rescue and restore its victims.

Read more at Women Moving Millions.

Harold and Kayrita Anderson Family Foundation CEO Kayrita Anderson is profiled along with fellow women advocates.

Read more here.

CSEC is once again highlighted as an important issue under the gold dome.

Read more at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Watch the interview at the Business News Network.

Harold and Kayrita Anderson Family Foundation CEO Kayrita M. Anderson has been recognized as one of this year’s 21 leaders of the 21^st century by Women E-News for her work to combat child sex slavery in America.

Read more at Women E-News.

Harold and Kayrita Anderson Family Foundation Chairman, Harold Anderson forges partnership with the largest maker of prosthetics and orthotics in the world to spur awareness, support and resources for earthquake survivors in Haiti.

Read more here.