Sex Trafficking, New Policies To Be Discussed At DeKalb Event

DECATUR, GA — The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Decatur-DeKalb Chapter is organizing a special panel, “Igniting a Social Change,” Thursday, Dec. 5 to spread awareness on human sex trafficking in Atlanta. The panelists will also discuss new 2020 DeKalb County policies and how residents can better trust law enforcement.

The event will be held at Bethune Middle School, 5200 Covington Hwy, from 6 - 8 p.m. in the cafeteria. The evening will start with networking and then transition to the panel discussion, followed by a Q&A.

“Our goal is to work at the local level to get the ball rolling,” said Kiana Lawson, 1st Vice President of Programs and Planning for the Decatur-DeKalb County chapter. “Let’s strike the match, start the ignition and we do that by having these programs for the community.”

Thursday's panelists include Cindy Thomas, a former Lithonia mayoral candidate, Officer Greg Webb, master police officer for DeKalb County Justice System, and Margie Gill, executive director of Tabitha’s House Inc. The event will be moderated by Katerina Taylor, the executive director of WorkSource Atlanta.

NCBW’s mission is to advocate for black women and girls in the areas of health, education, economic empowerment and public policy, said Lawson. The group promotes leadership development and gender equity as well.

This event’s theme was selected because human sex trafficking in Atlanta is a growing safety concern for residents, Lawson said.

“It’s a big issue in Atlanta, well, Georgia period because we’re at the top,” she said “It’s becoming even more so in DeKalb County. We advocate for African American females and so it’s time to take our girls back. We’re saying this is real, this is what’s going on in these streets, stay woke...we’re going to take our girls back because they’re not for sale.”

The event is for all ages, but Lawson said she really wanted to target millennials and GenZ, the generation that was born between 1996-2010.

“These are the kids who are being affected, these are the kids that as they continue to grow, will be able to vote on changes,” said Lawson. “They need to understand what’s going on, not just the parents.”

There’s meaning behind the event’s title. “Igniting a Social Change” is a call to action.

“I always tell the audience, gather any piece of information that is vital here today and take that back [to] your circle, your friends, your church, and spark conversation on what we need to do next,” said Lawson. “If everyone says, ‘It’s sad,’ it’s just going to continue. So how do we change and become a voice? It’s not until we collaboratively or collectively say, ‘We want to stop this,’ that our voices are heard.”