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The story of our CEO, Shamere McKenzie, is featured in a documentary produced on the island of Aruba by The Switch Foundation.

SYNOPSIS OF DOCUMENTARY ‘FALSE PROMISE ‘:
The story of Shamere inspired the Switch Foundation team and that is why we wanted to multiply the message through False Promise, an experimental documentary adapted in Aruba with aspiring and amateur actors, designed to prevent the sexual exploitation and abuse of our girls by networks. traffickers and labor exploitation in men and boys dramatizing through artistic expressions the tactics most used by traffickers to attract victims to this dark business.

False Promise, original name in Papiamento, is a call to action. A testimony of survival and a gift of love dedicated to our island Aruba, to the countries of the world and to the vulnerable communities of human trafficking.

The courage and testimony of a young woman can change the world and prevent victims of false promises. Shamere Mckenzie was a victim of sexual exploitation. Now she has become an activist and an expert in Human Trafficking issues. She has taken her experience to universities, conferences, community events, state agencies, private companies and NGOs; to raise awareness, prevent and train people on how to identify situations that may end in exploitation and abuse of human rights.

The goal is to carry a message of prevention and detection to all children, youth and parents through the distribution of documentary in schools in the Caribbean and Latin America, and digital channels with the support of all the world organizations and people who are fighting for the same cause.

A huge thank you to Switch Foundation, Aruba, Paula Nahr the founder of the Switch Foundation and Producer of the documentary for using her platform to share this message.

Thanks to Directors Rafael Barragán and Joshua Verschuur, Director of Photography Ronney Dotel, Art Director Jhon Freddy Tobón Montoya and acting coach Gloria Bryce, for achieving and executing the visual concept with excellence.

What an amazing performance and acting by Gena Ramirez Boom who played Shamere and delivered a clear message.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU. Feel free to share and let us know your thoughts.

Click Here to watch the documentary False Promises

 

 

Our CEO, Shamere McKenzie’s story was featured as part of Robin Roberts of ABC’s Good Morning America Thriver Series. Click here to watch the video.

The Cornerstone Church in partnership with Shared Hope International and the Defenders USA is hosting the Equip for Freedom Conference.

Speakers include:

  1. Beth Grant, Co-founder and Director of Project Rescue
  2. Vincent DeVivo, Community Outreach Specialist for the United States Attorney’s Office
  3. Shamere McKenzie, CEO Sun Gate Foundation

Corner Stone

Abstract
“Survivors of prostitution propose a policy reform platform including three main pillars of priority: criminal justice reforms, fair employment, and standards of care. The sexual exploitation of prostituted individuals has lasting effects which can carry over into many aspects of life. In order to remedy these effects and give survivors the opportunity to live a full and free life, we must use a survivor-centered approach to each of these pillars to create change. First, reform is necessary in the criminal justice system to recognize survivors as victims of crime and not perpetrators, while holding those who exploited them fully responsible. Second, reform is necessary to assist survivors in finding fair employment by offering vocational training, financial counseling, and educational scholarships, as well as offering employment opportunities that utilize survivors’ vast array of skills and interests. Finally, standards of care for survivors exiting prostitution should focus on supporting survivors in our journeys and support short- and long-term resources that empower us. These systemic changes are necessary to recognize survivors as the valuable human beings we are and to support survivors in fulfilling our vast potential.” Read More at Dignity: A Journal on Sexual Exploitation and Violence: Vol. 3: Iss. 3, Article 10. 

 

On July 25-26, 2018, the National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP) hosted the first form of its kind to be convened in the Caribbean – “The Hard Road to Recovery: From Victim to Survivor”. The inaugural international conference was held at the Melia Braco Village Hotel in Trelawny, Jamaica.

The main objectives of the conference were to:

  • Increase public awareness to discourage these activities and to warn those who are unaware.
  • Train officials throughout the public and private sectors on identifying victims of trafficking.
  • Build capacities through legislation and institutional strengthening.

“The opening ceremony included the sashing of the island’s first-ever Human Trafficking Ambassadors, Miss Jamaica World 2017, Solange Sinclair, and Founder of The Sun Gate Foundation and human trafficking survivor, Shamere McKenzie, who also delivered the keynote address.”

“There can be no more powerful voice than that of a person who has survived and who has recovered to speak to the challenges faced by victims of trafficking on their journey to recovery from the pain and trauma they have experienced. She is one of two ambassadors who have agreed to lend their public image and voice to Jamaica’s national effort to fight against human trafficking.” Carol Palmer, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice.
“It is such an honor to serve my country in this capacity. Over the years I have been making strides in the US to combat the issue of human trafficking but deep down I wanted to be involved in my birth country. I have laced up my boot strings, put on my boxing gloves and is ready to join efforts with the NATFATIP and others in Jamaica fighting trafficking.” Shamere McKenzie

Other speakers and presenters include:

  • Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, MP – Minister of National Security
  • Mrs. Carol Palmer, CD, JP, – Chair, NATFATIP
  • Her Excellency Ms. Magorzata Wasilewska – Head of the European Union Delegation to Jamaica
  • Her Excellency Ms. Laurie Peters – Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica
  • Mr. Mark Seibel – Deputy Chief of Mission, United States Embassy
  • Speakers from Romania, New York, Interpol and others
Left to right: CEO of Sun Gate Foundation, Shamere McKenzie; Ms Jamaica World 2017,, Solange Sinclair; Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and Chair of NATFATIP, Carol Palmer

Left to right: CEO of Sun Gate Foundation, Shamere McKenzie; Ms Jamaica World 2017,, Solange Sinclair; Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and Chair of NATFATIP, Carol Palmer

 

 

Our CEO, Shamere McKenzie will speak at the University of Delaware on November 18, 2015. The event is sponsored by IJM, Amnesty International, Greek Council, and the Department of Women and Gender Studies.

4W (Women Well-being Wisconsin World) is hosting a conference in Madison, WI entitled, VOICES OF HOPE Listening to and Supporting Survivors of Human Trafficking.  

Date: July 15-16, 2015

Venue: University of Wisconsin-Madison – NANCY NICHOLAS HALL

Our CEO, Shamere McKenzie will serve as the Keynote speaker.  Additional speakers include:

Rebecca Bender –  a Survivor Leader and Advocate in the efforts to eradicate modern day slavery. Rebecca is a well sought after conference presenter and keynote at some of the largest anti-trafficking events in the country, including President Jimmy Carter’s World Summit.

Christine Stark –  an award-winning writer, visual artist, national and international speaker of Anishinaabe & Cherokee ancestry.

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

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STREETSPublicLectureFlyer

Join our CEO Shamere McKenzie at Loyola University for an event entitled, “Slavery Still Exist: A Slavery & Abolition Symposium”. Shamere is one of the Keynote speakers in addition to Kenneth Morris, Jr., President and Founder of the Frederick Douglas Family Initiative.

The event begins with a panel discussion at 4 pm.  Panelists include:

  1. Sheriff Tom Dart – Cook County Sheriff
  2. Katherine Kaufa Walts, JD – Director of Center for Human Rights of Children at Loyola University and International Expert on Human Trafficking
  3. Kaethe Morris Hoffer – Executive Director of Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE).
  4. Marian Hatcher – Human Trafficking Survivor, Human Trafficking Coordinator and Project Manager at Cook County Sheriff’s Office
  5. Laura Ng – Executive Director, Traffick Free

 

slavery &Abolition

 

Our CEO, Shamere McKenzie and our Senior Advisor to our Board of Directors, Kevin Bales, will speak at the University of Hull’s Anti-Slavery Usable Past conference today, which will bring together experts from around the world at its Wilberforce Institute of Slavery and Emancipation (WISE) to discuss what lessons can be learned from history in tackling slavery today. Click hereKevin and Shamere Yorkshire to read full article written by Yorkshire Post UK

“But we believe everyone has a role to play in fighting slavery, even if it is just thinking about the goods you buy.” Click here to read the full article written by Hull Daily Mail UK on the work of our CEO Shamere McKenzie and Senior Advisor to our Board of Directors, Kevin Bales in Hull, England.

Hull Article

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