Meet Shamere McKenzie, the recently-appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Sun Gate Foundation, a national organization focused on providing support to survivors of human trafficking who wish to gain access to private, continuing, and/or higher education. Why is this mission important to Shamere? Because she herself was once a victim of sex trafficking, and as a young adult pursuing a college education, she has had to overcome many obstacles. “As a survivor, I know firsthand the stigma and difficulties faced by survivors of sex trafficking,” Shamere says, “And, as the recipient of the first Sun Gate Foundation scholarship, I am a walking example to other survivors that they too can pick up the broken pieces and live a life of their choosing.” Click here to read the entire article written by Holly Smith.
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Shamere McKenzie Appointed CEO of Sun Gate Foundation
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Shamere McKenzie Speaks at California State University Chico
On April 16, 2014, for the second year in a row, Shamere McKenzie spoke at California State University Chico as part of STOP (Stop Trafficking of Persons) Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Week. Over 190 students, faculty, and community members came to hear Shamere speak. Other speakers throughout the week included law enforcement offices, service providers and other survivors of human trafficking. Click here for a detail list of speakers.
Special thanks to Jeff Layne, Director of Distance Education for recording the event. Watch Shamere’s presentation here.
Amanda Hovik, from the school’s online newspaper – The Orion – covered the event.
“Shamere McKenzie knew that she didn’t want to die. Her body told her to run, so she headed to a stranger’s garage and found a man and his 2-year-old daughter inside. “What are you doing?” the man asked. “Why are you running around here?” ……continue reading article written by Amanda Hovik
About Amanda Hovik:
Originally from Southern California Amanda Hovik lives in Simi Valley with her family of five, her two brothers Bobby and Billy and her parents Bob and Ev. Growing up she struggled to find the confidence within herself and did not consider herself beautiful going through her awkward stages in junior high and high school. As she got older her focus shifted from her imperfections towards her studies in school. She began to attend regular tutoring sessions to help her maintain her GPA. The tutoring sessions became uncomfortable to attend and she was told by her male tutor to keep his inappropriate behavior a secret. She didn’t tell anyone until word got around that she was not the only person sexually harassed. With the help of her parents she realized that she needed to speak up. Since then she has become more confident within herself and has graduated with an associate’s degree in Behavioral/ Social Sciences. She transferred to Chico State last year and is majoring in Journalism. She currently lives in Chico and writes for the Orion, Chico State’s Student newspaper. One of the articles she wrote is Shamere McKenzie’s story about her experience as a human trafficking survivor and advocate for young women. Amanda is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and hopes to graduate within the next two years.
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Shamere McKenzie helps train Oakland Airport workers on how to spot human traffickers
“The workers, from blue-uniformed Transportation Security Administration agents and baggage handlers to restaurant workers and gate agents, were taught how to recognize potential victims and their abusers, who take advantage of the fact that minors can fly without identification.”
Trainers and presenters includes: Shamere McKenzie, Nancy Rivard, President and Founder of Airline Ambassadors, Sandra Fiorini, Betty Ann Boeving of the Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition, Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag and Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley. Read more…
You can read more about the Oakland Airport training here.
Shamere McKenzie, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag, Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, and Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland
Shamere McKenzie, Sandra Fiorini and Nancy Rivard
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Shamere Presents at Howard University for the 3rd Time
On February 19th, Shamere presented at Howard University again, this time she was among other experts in the field. Those presenting included Nick Sensely, Stacy Lewis, Det. Bill Woolf, Deepa Patel, Christine Raino from Shared Hope International, and more.
Stacy Lewis opened the panel discussion with her motivating spoken word, “Ten Years and one Day.” Shamere closed the conference with a powerful speech.
Read the full article published in Howard Univerity’s School Paper-The Hilltop on page 4.
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Shamere in the February Issue of the Dade County Bar Association’s Bulletin
Read Shamere’s story and how pro bono work in Dade County is helping Shamere gain control of her life again.
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Shamere McKenzie’s story written by fellow survivor Rebecca Bender
Click here to read Shamere’s story written by fellow survivor Rebecca Bender.
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Shamere McKenzie featured on the YWCA blog
“Knowledge is Power: Modern Day Slavery in America” by Shamere McKenzie.
Click here to read the blog.
YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Thanks in advance for reading.
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Shamere McKenzie & Stacy Jewell Lewis presents at Shared Hope International’s 2011 Protected Innocence Challenge
Survivor advocates Shamere McKenzie & Stacy Jewell Lewis presented at Shared Hope International 2011 Protected Innocence Challenge Pathbreaker Award Ceremony in San Antonio Texas on the issue of sex trafficking.
Video: Teddy James – AFA Journal
Shamere McKenzie discuss Human Trafficking on Fairfax Public Access TV
Do you live in Fairfax, Virginia? Watch Shamere McKenzie on Fairfax Public Access TV (channel 10) on – Human Trafficking Show. Shamere and Ashley Marchand discuss the issue of human trafficking with producer Adenike Oyebanjo.
Show times are:
December 6, 2012 – 10:30 pm
December 7, 2012 – 11 am
December 11, 2012 – 7 pm
December 12, 2012 – 10 pm
December 14, 2012 – 2 am
December 18, 2012 – 1 pm
December 19, 2012 – 1 pm
December 23, 2012 – 1 am
December 25, 2012 – 1 am & 10:30 pm
December 27, 2012 – 10 pm
December 28, 2012 – 11 am
December 29, 2012 – 3 pm
December 30, 2012 – 4 pm
December 31, 2012 – 3 am
Shamere was introduced to Adenike by Ashley Marchand. Ashley is the lead organizer for the DC Stop Modern Slavery group. The interview will be posted on the site in January 2013.
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Survivors of Slavery 