On December 17, I was honored to make remarks at a very special occasion for FAIR Girls, Inc., a local nonprofit where I serve as chairman of the board of directors. FAIR Girls is the only organization here in Washington, D.C., that provides intervention, safe transitional housing, a crisis response line, and trauma-informed services to female survivors, ages 18 to 26, of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

The event was the dedication of the new Pamela S. Parsons Drop-in Center — a safe space for clients to be able to access a donation closet, find compassionate care through case management and psychoeducation sessions, workshops, events and more. The center is named for a devoted board member who has been a cornerstone of FAIR Girls’ mission and vision.

I have written before about my longtime devotion to this cause through both Fair Girls and the Human Trafficking Legal Center. I feel particularly called to elevate the humanity of trafficking victims. I joined the Fair Girls board as chair three years ago, to contribute my business experience to help the organization succeed at providing much-needed services and a safe, healing sanctuary for survivors. Today, Fair Girls is thriving enough to begin the process of opening a second transitional housing facility — or “safe house" — in Prince George's County, Md. Despite increasing capacity at our existing facility by 50 percent, we are full every night and have a wait list, hence the decision to open another safe house. The need is overwhelming.

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time to discuss and confront this evil practice that must end. Young women and children as young as 12 are targeted for exploitation. Those who are most vulnerable are females living in poverty and chaos. Communities of color, especially black communities, are particularly at risk, and the Washington, D.C., area is a hub for sex trafficking because we have a significant at-risk population as well as many people traveling along the seaboard. But human trafficking happens in communities nationwide. On its home page, FAIR Girls offers a video about what human trafficking looks like in the U.S.

It truly takes all of us coming together to combat this social evil. In 2024, Fair Girls reached 2,505 individuals through community outreach events and human trafficking training.

I encourage you to educate yourself on this issue and use any platforms you are on to raise awareness. I also invite you to support Fair Girls, which has received national recognition for its anti-trafficking work. In-kind donations are one way to help. For example, KCIC donates our three-year-old laptops to Fair Girls, since having internet access is important for survivors and the devices are still perfectly serviceable.

You can also give to support the pro bono work of the Human Trafficking Legal Center, or a local nonprofit near you. Please also be alert. If you believe someone in the U.S. may be a victim of human trafficking, call the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or report an emergency to law enforcement by calling 911. Trafficking victims, whether U.S. citizens or not, are eligible for services and immigration assistance.

I’m happy to answer any questions about my work with Fair Girls, the organization’s mission, and how you might be able to help.