USA Capacity Building Fellows
brenda myers-powell, chicago fellow
Brenda Myers-Powell advocacy began in 1997 fighting for the victims of human sex trafficking. As a community organizer, she assists in training and empowering victims to speak with legislators to bring change for their communities. She has been featured in numerous print and broadcast media outlets. She has been the key researcher in several research projects related to violence and the exploitation of women. Brenda is an outstanding public speaker, dealing with topics relating to poverty, violence against women and criminal justice reform. She has been bestowed with several honors including the Chicago Magazines honoree, Illinois Coalition for Victims of Sexual Assault award for community activism, the 2010 Chicago Foundation for Women Impact Award and many other special honors. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Dream Catcher Foundation, and has set on the board of numerous organizations including Sophia’s Circle, CAASE and PART. Most recently, she was selected to serve on the United States President’s Advisory Council on Human Trafficking. She considers herself fortunate to have survived many challenges in her life but is now able to use those experiences to assist others in their personal journeys of empowerment and recovery.
christine nelson, minneapolis fellow
Christine Nelson holds a Master’s in Advocacy and Political Leadership and an undergraduate in Social Science Global Studies from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul Minnesota. Currently she is the Executive Director of Power of Choice Minnesota a nonprofit using art as a catalyst for societal change. She previously worked at a chemical health treatment center teaching adult chemical health education. Before working there, she worked as a Program Manager for a national youth organization that focused on young people in recovery. In that role, she implemented a national advocacy campaign and local chapters in cities across the United States. Additionally, she is a capacity building fellow for Survivor Alliance working to create supportive survivor communities in Minnesota.
gaby lozano, chicago fellow
Born and raised in Chicago, Gabriela is a dynamic survivor advocate for women who have suffered from commercial sexual exploitation. She received resources through a comprehensive, trauma-informed program, where she began to heal and found the love of Christ. She currently is working with the Mayor of Chicago’s cabinet on Human Trafficking and Labor Trafficking as a consultant, advising them on how CPD officers should engage with individuals on the streets that they have identified as prostitutes. She helps law enforcement agencies connect to emergency services that are available to people they have detained. She is also revamping the processes and procedures in place for the city that relate to current policies and laws that affect, what we identify as, victims. Gabriela is working towards a degree in Homeland Security to work with the Department of Justice on a federal level in hopes of one day operating her own Task Force to combat Sex and Human Trafficking in every corner, every metropolis, and every back road in America.
shemeka dawson, atlanta fellow
Shemeka Dawson is a mother, family advocate, author, and Human Trafficking Ambassador, originally from Shreveport, Louisiana. Dawson is the founder of Shemeka Dawson Ministries LLC, where she currently enjoys helping families cross over the bridges of mental illness, substance abuse, and incarceration by providing seminars, workshops, resources, and support groups to help them discover their resiliency. Dawson also facilitates classes for young mothers and families with children ages 0-18. She hopes to reunify broken relationships and create sustainable family structure. Dawson has been featured on several broadcasting networks, including CNN, Fox News, and multiple outlets in Atlanta. Her work has been highlighted by the Govern and 1st Lady of Georgia , New York Times, Boston Globe, and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Dawson continues her advocacy throughout the South and serves as an ambassador for the Survivor Leadership Institution in 6 different states. She has received training from the National Council for Behavioral Health, the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Center, and the Mental Health First Aid Association. Her gratitude for life itself drives her in the work she does to support survivors, protect the vulnerable youth, and rebuild families.
tina sonnie, program Development fellow
My name is Tina Sonnie and I am a warrior. I am so blessed to be free. When I first left the life, I didn't identify as a survivor, but I knew I wanted to help what I called "real victims" of trafficking. When I found Breaking Free, that idea and passion changed for me. I took their 14 week Sisters of Survival course and moved into the Alumni program. I have also completed Speakers Bureau, and now attend and sometimes co-facilitate Alumni. I have been working towards becoming an advocate for victims, and started a podcast called Naming Jane Doe where I interview different leaders in the movement and also celebrate survivors on their journey after the life. I want to end the stigma that survivors are weak minded criminals, and show that with the right support and belief in ourselves that we not only survive, we thrive.