Ohlone College Diversity, Inclusion, Advisory Committee (ODIAC) in collaboration with NAKA Dance Theater present:
5th Annual Social Justice, Inclusion, and Equity Symposium
Radical Resistance, Radical Imagination
A monthly series of virtual performances and discussions with prominent local artists exploring the intersection of contemporary art and social justice, ritual and community empowerment. This year's conference will be a 6-part virtual series. Join us to listen to a panel of four sex-trafficking abolitionists as we speak about how to take direct action and raise consciousness about sex trafficking in our communities.
Thursday, November 5th, 3pm - 5pm PT
A Panel of Abolitionists
Featuring:
Regina Evans
Amba Johnson from Dreamcatchers
Saraí Mazariegos from Shade Movement
Benita Dean Hopkins from San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking (SFCAHT)
Benita Dean Hopkins, an “Agent of Change” has worked in the non-profit sector for the last thirteen years. Benita most recently was the Director of Education for Generations United who serves the immigrant population of Redwood City, CA. Before GU, she was Director of Community Education and Engagement for Love Never Fails, committed to the trafficked population. She is the current Northern and Central California Liaison for the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative and oversees her 1st Fruits Arts Project to offer underserved students of all ages the opportunity to express themselves and find healing through the arts.
She's traveled to various countries to bring hope to those who suffer from shame and abandonment. Restoring to wholeness is a very important attribute and goal in life to Ms. Hopkins. Benita has traveled to Ghana, West Africa to serve with CORM Ghana at their Faith Roots International Academy and 7Continents their workforce development and prevention education programs.
One of Benita's favorite quotations by Dr. King is: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Human trafficking and other injustices are critical to her work. Benita is a recent graduate of Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, Michigan with a degree in Ministry Leadership. She was awarded the “2015 Abolitionist of the Year” for Education by the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking and the "Working Women's Award" by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley in 2011. She serves on the Boards of Generations United, S.H.A.D.E. (Survivors Healing and Dedicated to Empowerment), National Council of Jewish Women-San Francisco, and she is the Co-Chair of the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking. In her spare time, she is the Principal Violist in the Mission College Symphony.
Sarai Mazariegos has been helping high-risk youth in various capacities for over 19 years and has achieved groundbreaking strides in her field. She has worked with survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, runaway/homeless youth, foster care/probation minors, group homes/shelters, juvenile courts, and the last 17 years supporting CSEC-specific services. Sarai is a specialist in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care services for women and children who have experienced sexual abuse.
Regina Evans, a native of Oakland, California, is a Poet, Playwright , Social Justice Performer, and a Modern Day Abolitionist in the fight against sex trafficking. Her most current stage play, 52 Letters, a poetic stage play bringing awareness to the issue of sex trafficking in the United States, was honored to win a Best of 2013 San Francisco Fringe Festival Award. Ms Evans has also performed 52 Letters as a part of the 2013 DIVAS Tell All series, curated by Catherine Debon, at The EXIT Café in San Francisco, CA, 2013 DIVAfest, at the EXIT Studio in SF, CA (as a part of the DIVAS Tell All Series), and at the 2013 SF Fringe Festival, EXIT STage Left, SF, CA.
As a Modern Day Abolitionist, Ms. Evans is a member of The S.H.A.D.E. Project, an organization founded by powerhouse Sarai Smith-Mazariegos, which empowers survivors of exploitation and trafficking with the thought that survivor Leadership is paramount to creating positive change and empowerment within and outside the movement. Ms. Evans also volunteers with Love Never Fails, a Bay Area Anti Trafficking organization, founded by the extraordinary Vanessa Russell.
Ms. Evans has traveled extensively throughout the world and resided in Sydney, Australia for 15 years where she operated and owned The Diva's Closet Vintage Clothing Boutique which catered to a celebrity clientele including Beyonce and Cate Blanchett. The boutique was also a costume and red carpet styling resource for the Australian theater, music, television and movie industries. Her dresses were seen at Cannes Film Festival, MTV Awards, Aria Awards, Logie Awards, and AFI Awards.