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Texas Bar Foundation Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $24 million in grants to law-related programs.

Funds will provide legal advocacy support for trafficking survivors

New Friends New Life (NFNL) is a recipient of a $20,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation. Funds will support the agency’s Legal Advocacy Clinic, providing legal assistance to survivors of sex trafficking. At NFNL, nearly 70% of members (clients) have a criminal record as a direct result of being trafficked – a barrier that prohibits survivors from finding jobs, obtaining housing, and becoming stable, contributing members of the community.

“For many of our members, a criminal record often leads to doors being slammed shut, making it harder to rebuild their lives after breaking free from exploitation and abuse,” shares Bianca Davis, Chief Executive Officer. “The Texas Bar Foundation’s support will help eliminate legal barriers that can restrict her from achieving the full, tangible restoration she is working so hard to create for herself while engaged in our Four Phase Women’s Program.”

The Legal Advocacy Clinic is a critical component of the Barrier Removal Initiative underway at New Friends New Life. Last September, the agency added an onsite staff attorney to review criminal histories, create legal action plans, lead cases and advocate for survivors. The attorney will also triage cases that are referred to partnering law firms for pro bono representation.

Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $24 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation's largest charitably-funded bar foundation.

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About New Friends New Life:
Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health, and emotional support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities. In 2021, NFNL served 312 members (clients). NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of human trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. More than 100 girls visited the YRC during its first year. In 2015, NFNL organized its Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

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New Friends New Life Luncheon Co-Chair Melissa Sherrill Martin; Co-Chair Kristi Sherrill Hoyl; Julia Ormond; Bianca Davis, CEO, New Friends New Life; Tracey Nash-Huntley, board chair, New Friends New Life; Co-Chair Katherine Wynne; Hon. Co-Chair Matrice Ellis-Kirk; Hon. Co-Chair Ambassador Ron Kirk 62Honorary Co-Chairs Ron Kirk and Matrice Ellis-Kirk

Award-winning actress Julia Ormond inspired a crowd of nearly 800 attendees at the November 4 New Friends New Life (NFNL) Luncheon by illustrating how small choices can have a monumental impact. In addition to discussing how the everyday choices we make can create a better, safer world, Ormond cleverly demonstrated how even a small donation can add up to a large sum when magnified by the power of many.

In advance of the luncheon, the actress, turned human rights activist, spent two days in Dallas immersing herself in the work of the nonprofit, getting to know the staff, board members, patrons, and members of NFNL – displaying an unusually generous gesture of support and interest in the agency’s mission.

As emcee Shelly Slater stated at the start of the program, “while the issue of human trafficking is heavy, heartbreaking, and hard, you will learn today the New Friends New Life is offering hope, healing, and a measure of happiness to hundreds of brave survivors and vulnerable youth each year.”

Slater introduced luncheon Co-Chairs Katherine Wynne, Kristi Sherrill Hoyl, and Melissa Sherrill Martin who thanked friends and supporters. Wynne kicked things off by recognizing Honorary Co-Chairs Matrice Ellis-Kirk and former Dallas Mayor, Ambassador Ron Kirk for “caring about this critical cause.” Hoyl shared that there are an estimated 313,000 human trafficking victims in Texas, with 79,000 being minors. She highlighted the work of NFNL’s Youth Resource Center, which has provided hope for nearly 550 girls, ages 12-22 since opening in 2018. Martin recognized top sponsors Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt, Tracey Nash-Huntley and David Huntley, Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Southwest Airlines, and the Jensen Project as well as Nancy and Randy Best and Carolyn and David Miller.

Following an invocation by Dr. Cynthia Mickens Ross, Matt Osborne and Priya Murphy of NFNL presented the 2022 ProtectHER recipients, who were honored for the impact they make as advocates and volunteers.

Lynn McBee, a philanthropic and leadership force in Dallas and longtime champion for women and girls, understands that education is a key that can unlock access and opportunity for vulnerable youth. A biochemist who spent years as a research scientist, McBee now serves as CEO of the Young Women’s Preparatory Network. Her board service spans dozens of nonprofit groups representing the community’s most pressing social issues – domestic violence, homelessness, and sex trafficking. “Making sure girls and women reach their potential brings me great joy,” said McBee. “New Friends New Life helps women and girls soar above their limits and achieve their dreams. Join me in working harder for these young women and girls.”

The financial and volunteer support of Santander Consumer USA Foundation has provided the funding for an on-site Legal Advocacy Clinic with a staff attorney working on site at NFNL to help members with legal contracts and cases preventing them from moving forward in life. Additionally, Santander employees have volunteered countless hours, including giving survivors skills needed to face the world. “I have been privileged to attend graduations at NFNL and hear stories of women fighting against all odds who have overcome many obstacles,” said Suzanne Massey, vice president, Santander Consumer USA Foundation. “Your work, your mission transforms lives, and we at Santander stand beside you.”

Dr. Nissi Hamilton, a child sex trafficking survivor who became an award-winning advocate, gave an impassioned acceptance speech to the riveted audience. Dr. Hamilton won the Foundation for Improvement of Justice’s 2022 Paul H. Chapman Award for her advocacy in the passing of the Texas Smart Act, which was signed into law in 2021 and provides protection and resources to trafficking victims. She is a passionate leader in the national anti-trafficking movement, a sexual abuse counselor, and CEO of the nonprofit Nissi’s Network, Inc. She captivated the audience with a powerful recount of her journey from trauma to triumph. “Human Trafficking is a second slavery. By the time I was 15, I had slept on countless bathroom floors. I was a homeless teen mother. I had to stand in front of a judge who did not honor me, protect me, or see me. I lived in foster care and was transferred to live in my trafficker’s home with my children by the time I was 16. I lost my children and studied law to get them back – eight in all.” She encouraged attendees to be a “burden barrier,” see trafficking survivors and offer support as they rebuild their lives.

New Friends New Life CEO Bianca Davis took the stage highlighting the work of the nonprofit’s Youth Resource Center, a place where 546 girls “have come to feel seen, safe, and supported.” She shared impactful stories and stated that the program now provides a tailored path forward for varying age groups. In thanking donors for the role they play in restoring and empowering the survivors, she shared that the organization was just $40,000 away from its financial goal of the luncheon and encouraged additional support to help restore and empower survivors.

Davis then introduced keynote speaker, Emmy award-winning actress, founder, and activist Julia Ormond, who flew into Dallas three days prior to immerse herself into the work of the organization, meet the women in the program, visit with supporters, and participate in one of NFNL’s educational bus tours illustrating that trafficking is happening everywhere.  Ormond is the first and former United Nations Goodwill Ambassador against Trafficking and Slavery. She has traveled the world and has been fighting trafficking since the 1990s.

Shelly Slater began the conversation by noting that in all the years of this luncheon, she did not recall any speaker so passionate about the mission that they would come into town days early to learn more about the work of the organization and those it serves. She asked Ormond about her attachment to fighting trafficking. 

Ormond shared from her perspective that “enslavement and forced labor are like the cancer in humanity. With cancer you do chemo to get right to the tumor. With trafficking we also need to take a laser-like approach that gets right to the tumor. We need to understand that when we buy a product from a supply chain, we are supporting value chains, the people who are in forced labor.”  She shared how businesses as well as the consumer play roles in ensuring the supply chain for goods is free of slavery and that we need to make sure that “workers have access to human rights.”

She talked about visiting shelters all over the world and always leaving with sadness. When walking into New Friends New Life, “all were so welcoming and achieving a goal of providing a safe space with hope.” She complimented the skilled staff who lead the bus tours which she described as “something very clever” demonstrating trafficking is happening everywhere while sharing her new knowledge of the “high-five” area in Dallas. “We must have the courage to step up and hear it” to make an impact.

Slater asked her about her trips around the world and the slavery she had witnessed. She highlighted her trip to Lake Volta in Ghana where enforced labor of children was discovered because children’s bodies were washing up onto the shores. When traveling there, she expected to see skinny children, but instead she saw “a very muscular, well-built young man.” She was told by those she was with that by his height they believed him to be 12 years old, and he had likely done about five years of hard labor.

She began to think about the fish they were catching and wondered, “Any chance I have purchased and eaten this fish or fed it to my children? If so, I am supporting a system trapping people in enslaved and forced labor. My mission became to work on transparency to protect people.”

Ormond is the founder of the nonprofit ASSET Campaign, which is the source of global legislation the Transparency in Supply Chains Law that requires major businesses to publicly disclose their policies to prevent human trafficking and forced labor in product supply chains.

“Through this new law, we now look at a company’s disclosure and see everything, and if that leads to a company who has found 25 child slaves, then this company showed up and transparency works.”

Slater summarized, “It really is all about education and transparency, and thinking where did that come from? I am not getting that Tilapia from across the sea if it is tied to this. It all comes back to dignity.”

“With small choices, we can vote for the world we want,” Ormond stated. “This law is helping us to see who is doing what, and we can start as consumers to support those who we think are doing the right thing. So, every time we spend a dollar, we can vote for the world that we want.”

Ormond then illustrated the power we each have to make a difference in the world. She said that you need resources in the world to do the heavy lifting, such as New Friends New Life, but we should never lose sight of the fact that a small choice has power and can be effective.

She then asked the audience how they would feel about giving $10 right now to NFNL, inviting someone to the stage with a calculator for this exercise. “With 800 people in the room, that comes to $8,000, which is nice, but what if everyone did that once a month.  Times 12, that amount changes to $96,000. Does everyone have ten friends? That brings it to $960,000. Multiple by 12, and you have $11,520,000.”

At the conclusion of the luncheon, the impact of Ormond’s words was evident when day-of donations totaled $99,000 helping NFNL surpass its goal with $560,000 in net proceeds raised.

Luncheon attendees included Robin Bagwell; Elizabeth Gambrell; Nancy Ann Hunt; Maggie Kipp; Ashlee and Chris Kleinert; Jan Langbein; Wendy Messmann; Caren Prothro; Jenna Quinn; Ted Poe; Pat Schenkel; Beth Thoele; Gail and Dr. R. Gerald Turner; Jessica Turner-Waugh; and Jimmy Westcott.

Media sponsors were PaperCity, and The Dallas Morning News. Visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

# # # 

About New Friends New Life: Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health, and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities. In 2021, NFNL served 312 members. NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of human trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. Since its opening, we have served 546 girls. In 2015, NFNL organized its  Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

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Dr. Nissi Hamilton ProtectHER Award Recipient

New Friends New Life (NFNL) announces the 2022 ProtectHER Award Recipients: Dr. Nissi Hamilton, a survivor, leader and expert in human trafficking; Lynn McBee, a philanthropic and leadership force in Dallas and longtime champion for women and girls; and Santander Consumer USA Foundation, which collaborates with and invests in organizations that provide positive social and cultural change. The award recipients will be honored at the Friday, November 4, New Friends New Life Annual Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., at the Hyatt Regency Dallas.

Julia Ormond, a British Emmy® award-winning stage, film, and television actress who has been fighting human trafficking since the 1990s, will headline the luncheon, co-chaired by Katherine Wynne, Kristi Sherrill Hoyl and Melissa Sherrill Martin and honorary co-chairs and Dallas power couple, Matrice Ellis-Kirk and Ambassador Ron Kirk.

ProtectHER Award Recipient Dr. Nissi Hamilton, a survivor, leader, and expert in human trafficking, is a winner of the Foundation for Improvement of Justice’s 2022 Paul H. Chapman Award for her advocacy in the passing of the Texas Smart Act which was signed into law in 2021. This legislation provides protection and resources to trafficking victims and survivors. As a survivor herself, Dr. Hamilton has become a passionate leader in the national anti-trafficking movement.  She is a sexual abuse counselor and CEO of Nissi’s Network Inc., a nonprofit which aims to “provide holistic support for children of pimps, prostitutes, and victims of human trafficking so that they can have an opportunity to lead healthy and successful lives.” Her push for legislative reform demonstrates the power of survivors to effect positive change in our justice system. In October, Dr. Hamilton was also recognized by The Board of the Foundation for Improvement of Justice at the organization’s annual awards banquet in Atlanta, Georgia. Additionally, she is the recipient of the National Black Prosecutors Association “Profiles in Courage Award.”

ProtectHER Award Recipient Lynn McBee, a longtime community volunteer, leader, and philanthropist as well as a biochemist, has been a champion of women and young girls throughout her career. She serves as the CEO of the Young Women’s Preparatory Network which supports single-gender, college preparatory, public education giving young women the academic and leadership skills to achieve success. She first began in an advisory role at Young Women’s Preparatory Network after working three decades at New England Bio Labs in Boston as a research scientist. Her board service in Dallas spans dozens of different nonprofit groups and organizations. She has worked to combat domestic violence through the Family Place, mentored young women in service and leadership with the Junior League of Dallas, and protected young girls at risk through her leadership with the Letot Center serving teenage women who are homeless or victims of trafficking. In January, McBee accepted an invitation from Mayor Eric Johnson to serve as the city’s workforce development czar. She is the recipient of numerous awards for her extraordinary leadership and service.

ProtectHER Award Recipient Santander Consumer USA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity established in 2004 that works to provide positive social and cultural change through five philanthropic pillars that address: economic mobility; educational mobility; physical mobility; social and racial justice; and sustainability, crisis and disaster. With a $50 million dollar commitment to digital and financial inclusion and $10 million in grant commitments in its home communities, Santander Consumer supports organizations that make a measurable impact. Since 2018, Santander has partnered with New Friends New Life, providing transformative financial and volunteer support to help remove the legal and economic barriers faced by sex trafficking victims.

NFNL Luncheon Speaker Julia Ormond, best known for her award-winning career as an actress and producer, is also a longtime activist against human trafficking, promoting international awareness in her role as the first and former United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Goodwill Ambassador Against Trafficking and Slavery. Ormond is the founder of the nonprofit ASSET Campaign which is the source of the global legislation the Transparency in Supply Chains Law that requires major businesses to publicly disclose their policies to prevent human trafficking and forced labor in product supply chains.

Some of Ormond’s best-known film work may be seen in her starring roles in Legends of the Fall, Sabrina, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Che. On the small screen, Ormond received an Emmy® Award in 2010 for her role in the HBO movie Temple Grandin and one in 1997 as executive producer of Calling the Ghosts: A Story About Rape, War and Women. In 2012 she was nominated for an Emmy® for her recurring role on Mad Men.She can most recently be seen in her series regular role in The Walking Dead; World Beyond, and in the still-to-be-released Reminisce.

“We are excited to welcome our speaker and honor our award recipients, who together not only shine a light on an industry that is victimizing 25 million people around the world, but also provide transformative contributions as advocates, volunteers and donors,” said Bianca Davis, CEO, New Friends New Life. “We thank each of you as you ‘stand for her’ and help us restore hope to so many trapped in this horrific industry.”

Underwriting sponsorship opportunities begin at $2,500.  A limited number of individual tickets will be released closer to the date and will begin at $250 each. To reserve your sponsorship or seats, please visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org/luncheon, email events@newfriendsnewlife.org or contact Senior Development Director Priya Murphy at 214-217-8652.

Luncheon media sponsors are The Dallas Morning News and PaperCity.

# # #

About New Friends New Life: Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health, and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities. In 2021, NFNL served 312 members. NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of human trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. Since its opening, we have served 546 girls. In 2015, NFNL organized its  Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

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New Friends New Life 2022 Luncheon Julia Ormond, a British Emmy® award-winning stage, film, and television actress who has been fighting human trafficking since the 1990s, will headline the 2022 luncheon on Friday, November 4 at 11:30 a.m., at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd.

 A United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and founder of the Alliance to Stop Slavery and End Trafficking (ASSET), Ormond will share her thoughts on what is needed to create systemic change to eradicate trafficking at its source

New Friends New Life (NFNL) announces Julia Ormond, a British Emmy® award-winning stage, film, and television actress who has been fighting human trafficking since the 1990s, will headline its annual luncheon on Friday, November 4 at 11:30 a.m., at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd. Luncheon co-chairs are Katherine Wynne, Kristi Sherrill Hoyl and Melissa Sherrill Martin. Honorary co-chairs are Matrice Ellis-Kirk and Ambassador Ron Kirk.

Among her best-known film work, Ormond has starred in Legends of the FallSabrinaThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Che. On the small screen, Ormond received an Emmy® Award in 2010 for her role in the HBO movie Temple Grandin, and in 2012 she was nominated for a second Emmy® for her recurring role on Mad Men. She can most recently be seen in her series regular role in The Walking Dead; World Beyond, and in the still-to-be-released Reminisce.

 

Offscreen, Ormond is a longtime activist against human trafficking, promoting international awareness in her role as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and as founder of the advocacy nonprofit, Alliance to Stop Slavery and End Trafficking (ASSET), which works with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government officials, and individuals to create the systemic change needed to eradicate slavery at its source. ASSET was instrumental in passing the 2010 California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, a consumer rights disclosure bill requiring major manufacturers and retailers to make public their policy on trafficking and slavery all the way down the supply chain. As an advocate, Ormond has traveled the world assessing solutions and challenges, and she has appeared as an expert witness before the U.S. Congress and the United Nations. For this advocacy work she received the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award and the Women for Women International’s Peace Award.

Luncheon Co-Chairs Katherine Wynne, Kristi Sherrill Hoyl and Melissa Sherrill Martin are longtime community leaders and volunteers with numerous nonprofits. Wynne is a former marketing, public relations and investment executive who spent ten years in various capacities for U.S. Trust, now Bank of America Private Bank. She is a member of New Friends New Life’s Board of Directors. Hoyl serves as chief philanthropy and community affairs officer at Baylor Scott & White Health, and her sister Melissa Sherrill Martin served as vice president of development for over 14 years at The Family Place. Honorary Co-Chairs and Dallas power couple Matrice Ellis-Kirk and Ambassador Ron Kirk are known for the impact they have had on the Dallas community and beyond. Ellis-Kirk has over 20 years of experience in the executive search industry with deep knowledge in governance. Before founding Ellis Kirk Group, she led board and CEO assignments at two large global search firms and a boutique search firm. Ambassador Ron Kirk is senior of counsel in Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher’s Dallas and Washington D.C. offices. The former mayor of Dallas and Texas Secretary of State also served as United States Trade Representative and was a member of President Obama’s Cabinet.

“As we at New Friends New Life continue to connect the dots and educate the community about the crime of human trafficking, we couldn’t be more delighted to introduce Julia Ormond to our donors and supporters at this year’s luncheon,” said Bianca Davis, CEO, New Friends New Life. “Her role as an activist against trafficking around the world, and her experience assessing solutions and challenges, will provide attendees with further insight about how we can all dismantle, disrupt, and disarm this industry that is victimizing 25 million people around the world, including 313,000 people right here in Texas.”

Underwriting sponsorship opportunities begin at $2,500.  A limited number of individual tickets will be released closer to the date and will begin at $250 each. To reserve your sponsorship or seats, please visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org/luncheon, email events@newfriendsnewlife.org or contact Senior Development Director Priya Murphy at 214-217-8652.

# # #

About New Friends New Life: Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health, and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities. In 2021, NFNL served 312 members. NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of human trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. Since its opening, we have served 442 girls. In 2015, NFNL organized its  Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

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Dr. Millicent Knight, new board member Dr. Millicent Knight, OD, FAAO, FAARM, FNAP, is senior vice president, customer development group, at EssilorLuxottica, where her team oversees eye care professional education, professional relations, and sales force training in North America.

New Friends New Life announces the induction of four new board members for the 2022-2023 term, effective April 1: Dr. Millicent Knight, senior vice president, customer development, EssilorLuxottica; Cheryl Monroe, vice president controller and treasurer, Mary Kay, Inc.; and Elena Sacca Smith, group manager, Office of Social Innovation, Toyota North America. They join previously announced Erin Nealy-Cox, partner at Kirkland & Ellis and former U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Texas. Additionally, Tracy Young, founder and principal, TDY Partners, will serve as the Circle of Friends President and Zeke Fortenberry, attorney for victims, Fortenberry Firm PLLC, as the Men’s Advocacy Group Board Chair.

"These dynamic corporate leaders bring incredible new expertise from across the Dallas business community to New Friends New Life,” said Tracey Nash-Huntley, Board Chair. "Because we know the problem of sex trafficking is systemic at its root, the solution must be collaborative. Without question, their leadership, commitment, and compassion will be valuable assets to each of our three boards. Together we will continue to educate and increase awareness of the prevalence of sex trafficking right here in our Dallas community, while also providing direction and support for the ongoing work of New Friends New Life empowering and restoring the lives of the formerly trafficked and sexually exploited women and girls we serve.”

The new board members join a diverse board of community representatives including Tracey Nash-Huntley, NFNL Board Chair, community leader; Robin Bagwell, community leader; Nancy Best, business and community leader; Adam Cannon, Chief Brand Officer, G6 Hospitality, LLC; Sherri Daniel, Certified Public Accountant; Dr. Cole Edmonson, DNP, RN; Chief Clinical Officer, AMN Healthcare; Kelley Grayson, Regional VP, Provider Network Solutions; Wendy Messmann, Regional Investment Executive, US Trust, Bank of America; Paulette Miniter, Associate Attorney, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Jane A. Rose, General Counsel, Irwin R. Rose & Co.; Christa Sanford, Partner, Baker Botts, LLP; Shelly Slater, community leader, WFAA Special Contributor; Gail Turner, community leader, SMU affiliation; Jessica Turner-Waugh, actor & voice-over artist; and Katherine Wynne, business and community leader.

For more information, visit newfriendsnewlife.org or call (214) 965-0935.

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NEW BOARD MEMBERS 2022-2023

Dr. Millicent Knight, OD, FAAO, FAARM, FNAP, is senior vice president, customer development group, at EssilorLuxottica, where her team oversees eye care professional education, professional relations, and sales force training in North America. She has an extensive background in the eye care industry with hospital-based ophthalmology/optometry and is the former owner of two optometric practices. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including optometrist of the year and young optometrist of the year by the National Optometric Association and the Illinois Optometric Association. She has volunteered for eye care missions around the world including North, South, and Central America, as well as Haiti and Thailand and is a mentor to young women in the eye health industry. She is also a member of the Dallas Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and is active working with their STEAM Academy of 7th to 12th grade girls of color.

Cheryl Monroe is vice president controller and treasurer of Mary Kay Inc., with oversight for consolidated financial reporting, accounting services, and treasury operations.  Since 2000 she has served in multiple roles in Finance at Mary Kay, including internal audit, financial reporting, and forecasting.  She serves on the Florida State University Libraries Advancement Board and joined the Mary Kay Ash Foundation board of directors in 2022.  The Mary Kay Ash Foundation raises and provides funds to find a cure for women-related cancers and an end to gender-based violence against women and girls.

Elena Sacca Smith is the group manager for the Office of Social Innovation at Toyota North America, where she oversees the company’s corporate social responsibility strategies, communications, measurement, and operations to advance the company’s social impact and diversity and inclusion efforts. She is host of The CauseGirl Podcast, inspiring women to feel good by doing good; a fellow at the Aspen Institute and serves on the Executive Forum for Boston College’s Center for Corporate Citizenship. She is also on the board of directors for Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and is a lifetime member.

Erin Nealy-Cox is a partner at Kirkland and Ellis and the former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. She represents corporations, boards of directors, and executives involved in complex multi-jurisdictional disputes and high-stakes investigations and is a member of the firm’s Government, Regulatory & Internal Investigations Practice Group. She has been recognized nationally for her pioneering efforts to eradicate human trafficking and was nominated for Texan of the Year by The Dallas Morning News in 2020 for her efforts.

NEW AUXILIARY GROUP LEADERS

Tracy Young, the new Circle of Friends president, is the founder and principal of TDY Partners, a communications, public, and government affairs consultancy serving clients at the local, state, and federal level. She previously worked for the George W. Bush Institute; the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries; the Texas Charter Schools Association; Texas House Speaker Joe Straus; the George W. Bush Administration; the U.S. Department of Education; and for Education Secretary Margaret Spellings. Young volunteers as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA), supporting children in foster care, and supports A21.

Circle of Friends supports the mission of New Friends New Life through volunteerism, community awareness, and fundraising.

Zeke Fortenberry of Fortenberry Firm PLLC, is the new Men’s Advocacy Group chair. He is an attorney and advocate for victims and has handled more than 160 jury trials. He teaches trial advocacy and has served as an adjunct faculty member at Southern Methodist University School of Law. He has lectured at the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and is a speaker and presenter across Texas. Fortenberry served as chair of the board for the Texas Young Lawyers Association and is a volunteer with Children’s Advocacy Center as well as a supporter of local law enforcement organizations.

The Men’s Advocacy Group was created to mobilize men to take action against sex trafficking and exploitation by raising awareness through advocacy, education, and volunteerism.

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About New Friends New Life:
Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health, and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities. In 2021, NFNL served 312 members. NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of human trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. Since its opening, we have served 442 girls. In 2015, NFNL organized its Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

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Erin Nealy Cox, P.C. Nealy Cox is widely known for her leadership and pioneering efforts to combat sex trafficking on both the supply and demand sides as well as her groundbreaking work to provide financial restitution to victims.

Nealy Cox is widely known for her leadership and pioneering efforts to combat sex trafficking on both the supply and demand sides as well as her groundbreaking work to provide financial restitution to victims

New Friends New Life announces Erin Nealy Cox, has been appointed to its 2021-2022 Board of Directors. A fierce advocate against sex trafficking, the former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas is a partner in Kirkland and Ellis’ Dallas and Washington, D.C., offices. She represents corporations, boards of directors, and executives involved in complex multi-jurisdictional disputes and high-stakes investigations and is a member of the firm’s Government, Regulatory & Internal Investigations Practice Group. Her practice focuses on matters arising from alleged violations of state and federal laws, including fraud, cybersecurity, public corruption, national security, workplace compliance, and issues involving board governance. 

“We are incredibly honored to have Erin Nealy Cox, an extraordinary ally in the fight against sex trafficking, as the newest member of New Friends New Life’s Board of Directors,” said Tracey Nash-Huntley, Board Chair. “Without question, her leadership, commitment, and compassion combined with her innovative work to fight sex trafficking will be a huge asset to the board as we provide direction and support to NFNL’s chief executive officer, Bianca Davis, as she leads the agency forward.”

“I have long admired the work of New Friends New Life as they work tirelessly to help women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty and limited opportunities,” said Erin Nealy Cox. “NFNL has long served as a vital resource to our community by providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health and spiritual support to victims of human trafficking.  I am honored and excited to join them in this mission.”

Nealy Cox has been recognized nationally for her pioneering efforts to eradicate human trafficking through the efforts of the North Texas Trafficking Task Force. While working with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to revamp the task force, she attacked sexual exploitation from multiple angles, including the demand side. In June 2020, the trafficking task force shut down CityXGuide, a leading source of online ads for sex trafficking, and used the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA) to charge its owner with reckless disregard of trafficking. Additionally, she charged sellers as well as buyers and instituted a system to see restitution for victims. Nealy Cox was nominated for Texan of the Year by The Dallas Morning News in 2020 for her efforts.

Throughout her two and a half decades in public service and private practice, she has successfully tried numerous cases in federal courts. She has served at the highest levels of the Department of Justice as United States Attorney, in her role, she was recognized nationally for her work in developing strategic responses to benefit the eight million residents of the North District of Texas. In addition to her work to eradicate human trafficking, she was also recognized nationally and locally for her efforts to combat domestic violence through gun control initiatives. Prior to her appointment as U.S. Attorney in 2017, she served as a senior advisor at McKinsey & Co.; managing director at Stroz Friedberg; Chief of Staff and Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ’s Office of Legal Policy in Washington, D.C.; and Assistant U.S. Attorney in the North District of Texas. Nealy Cox graduated with a BBA in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin and a JD from SMU School of Law.

Nealy Cox joins a diverse board of community representatives including Tracey Nash-Huntley, NFNL board chair, community leader; Robin Bagwell, community leader; Nancy Best, business and community leader; Adam Cannon, VP of brand management, G6 Hospitality, LLC; Sherri Daniel, certified public accountant; Cole Edmonson, DNP, RN; chief clinical officer, AMN Healthcare; Kelley Grayson, VP, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas; Ashlee Kleinert, community leader; Wendy Messmann, regional investment executive, US Trust, Bank of America; Paulette Miniter, associate attorney, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Jane A. Rose, general counsel, Irwin R. Rose & Co.; Christa Sanford, partner, Baker Botts, LLP; Pat Schenkel, community leader; Shelly Slater, community leader, WFAA Special Contributor; Gail Turner, community leader; Jessica Turner-Waugh, actor & voice over artist; and Katherine Wynne, business and community leader.

For more information, visit newfriendsnewlife.org or call (214) 965-0935.

# # #

About New Friends New Life:
Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health, and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities. In 2020, NFNL served 330 members (clients). NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of human trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. More than 100 girls visited the YRC during its first year. In 2015, NFNL organized its Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

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New Friends New Life

New Friends New Life (NFNL) is a recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Texas Bar Foundation. Funds will support the Legal Advocacy Fund designed to cover legal fees that sex trafficking survivors face, including court costs for legal processes like criminal record expungement. At NFNL, 65% of members (clients) have a criminal record as a direct result of being trafficked – a barrier that prohibits survivors from finding jobs, obtaining housing, and becoming stable, contributing members of the community.

“Navigating the criminal justice system is an intimidating process for survivors who are often without the financial resources or legal understanding to know what to do next,” shares Bianca Davis, Chief Executive Officer of New Friends New Life. “Support from the Texas Bar Foundation through the Legal Advocacy Fund helps to remove some of the most critical hurdles our women face, paving the way for them to become gainfully employed, thriving members of the community.”

The Legal Advocacy Fund is a critical component of the Barrier Removal Initiative underway at NFNL that includes the development of an on-site Legal Advocacy Clinic. Criminal charges represent a traumatizing reminder of sex trafficking survivors’ past abuse and a seemingly insurmountable barrier to achieving better housing, establishing a career, and meeting other goals. With a Legal Advocacy Clinic, new members of NFNL Women’s Program will meet with an onsite paralegal to review their criminal backgrounds and create a legal action plan. The addition of a Legal Advocacy Fund will help remove economic barriers for survivors to achieve independence by assisting with legal fees.

Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has awarded more than $23 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation’s largest charitably funded bar foundation.

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About New Friends New Life:
Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health, and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities. In 2020, NFNL served 330 members (clients). NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of human trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. More than 100 girls visited the YRC during its first year. In 2015, NFNL organized its Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

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New Friends New Life Luncheon Luncheon Honorary Co-Chairs Tonya and Charlie McKinney; ProtectHER Award recipients Dirk and Jessica Nowitzki; Luncheon Co-Chairs Jan Osborn and Trina Terrell-Andrews; NFNL CEO Bianca Davis

Courageous trafficked survivors shared personal stories; American Airlines, Dr. Monique W. Morris and surprise honorees Jessica and Dirk Nowitzki received the 2021 ProtectHER Awards

 

Attendees of this year’s hybrid New Friends New Life luncheon not only benefited from the empowering words of Academy Award-Winner Lupita Nyong’o, but they also gained new perspective into the lives of those who are sex trafficked from the personal stories of five courageous graduates of the nonprofit’s program – each of whom was present at the luncheon. These women, now members of a new Alumni Circle, help ensure that survivors always have a voice while serving as mentors for the women and girls in NFNL’s program.

The a cappella voices of Kings Return opened the program, setting the tone for what was to be a powerful day. Luncheon Co-Chairs Jan Osborn and Trina Terrell-Andrews introduced the video of the sex trafficking survivors, followed by remarks from NFNL CEO Bianca Davis. Davis applauded each survivor for their courage, commitment, and successes while highlighting the importance of “community” and the organization’s transformational program. “This year, I listened to a member share that her first day at New Friends New Life was going to be the last day of her life,” shared Davis. “She had tried, and she was tired. But she didn’t end her life that day. In fact, she is about to enter Phase 4 of our program, and she is a star.”

Dr. Monique W. Morris, president and CEO of Grantmakers for Girls of Color, was honored with the first ProtectHER Award for her work as a transformative voice for girls of color impacted by sex trafficking. She is an award-winning author and social justice scholar with three decades of experience in the areas of education, civil rights, and juvenile and social justice. Unable to attend in person, Dr. Morris shared her remarks in a recorded video. “I am honored to be in community with New Friends New Life and proud of the work we do to impact the lives of others. New Friends New Life is about transformation and reclamation, and it is beautiful.”

Patrick Sanders, director and senior attorney at American Airlines, accepted his company’s ProtectHER Award for its work in the fight against sex trafficking. Since January 2020, the company has provided awareness training for their team to recognize how human trafficking intersects with the travel industry; provided care kits for women in the program; and most recently provided pro-bono legal services, in partnership with Jones Day, to expunge criminal records of women in the NFNL program. “We continue to be so impressed by the work of New Friends New Life and the lives that are saved every day, and are truly grateful for this honor,” said Sanders. “To hear the personal stories of survival today, and to know we played a role in the expungement of one of those survivors was an emotional moment for me and our team here today.”

Honorary Co-Chairs Tonya and Charlie McKinney were invited to the stage to help introduce a surprise awardee. Charlie began by sharing that he was going off script and stated how much of an impact the program of NFNL has made on them. He specifically recognized the table of survivors who had just shared their personal stories and successes.

Jessica and Dirk Nowitzki were announced as the recipients of the third ProtectHER Award for the work of their foundation which focuses on the well-being, health, and education of children; their donations to critical social service agencies during the pandemic; and their understanding that social ills – including sex trafficking – are often the result of vulnerabilities of early childhood.

“This is a great honor for our foundation,” said Nowitzki. He then shared a personal story of his arrival 20 years ago in Dallas. “Exiting the plane, I was greeted by hundreds of fans with Dirk signs. I thought, they are already embracing me, and they don’t even know me. It was at that moment I knew I was going to do my best to do my part to make this a better community. It was years later I learned those were all Mavs employees, but the seed was already planted! We started the foundation in 2001, and we have been doing amazing work collaborating with amazing people. I’m excited to continue the work of the foundation and look forward to the next 20 years.”

Jessica Nowitzki continued, “Collaboration and partnership are key and what we have tried to do all of these years. Without sponsors and collaborators, we can’t do what we do in the community. New Friends New Life is one of the key components making a change in our city. Your presence today is so important. To make a difference we all have to do this together.”

NBC 5’s Laura Harris introduced virtual guest Lupita Nyong’o, a Kenyan actress, producer and author, known for her Academy Award-winning performance in 12 Years a Slave. She starred in Jordan Peel’s Us and is soon reprising her role in Marvel’s Black Panther 2. She executive produces the YouTube Originals family program, Super Sema, which depicts Africa’s first kid superhero and features her voice in a two-part episode. She is also a New York Times Bestselling author for her children’s book, Sulwe, which recently won an Emmy Award.

In a recorded conversation with Harris, Nyong’o shared her story and what empowers and motivates her. She was raised by parents who were involved in the world – her dad, a politician, fighting for democracy, and her mother, a world class humanitarian who takes on other people’s issues with a big heart.

“I observed them put people first and sacrifice themselves for a larger idea – those examples affected me, giving me the blueprint of what life is about. You have a life to lead – do what you want to do and what enriches the world you live in. This sense of purpose is in all of us – if you listen close enough.” 

Nyong’o shared that she was not clear for a long time about what her purpose was but feels driven by a desire to change the narrative and offer a new perspective, especially in her role as an actor and storyteller. She continued by saying, “the pursuit of clarity is valid in and of itself.” After graduating with her undergraduate degree, she returned to Kenya to reflect, knew she wanted to act, and applied to graduate school.

“Reflection is such an important part of discovering what your purpose is,” Nyong’o added. “You can so easily get into the rut of living and just trying to survive that you forget to take a step back, take stock and design your life.”

She touched on her children’s book, Sulwe, which she referred to as an autobiography of her life with magic in it. “I grew up very uncomfortable with the color of my skin and experienced discrimination. I wrote a children’s book to affect the way children see themselves before the world tells them what their worth is. Ultimately, in our adult lives we are seeking to heal our childhood wounds, and this was one of the ways I went about healing my own.”

The actress also discussed her experience narrating Serengeti, a nature documentary shot in Kenya. She realized this was a watershed moment when she reflected on the fact that she had never heard a nature documentary done in an accent that was not British or American; she had never heard a female narrator; and she had never heard an African accent – even though filming was on that continent.

When asked about her workout videos, she shared she believes in a strong body, strong mind, and had a good role model as a child – her aunt played the Jane Fonda workout videos, and they exercised together every other day.

She described her Oscar moment, unsure if she heard her name called in her head or aloud, and then worried about falling as she walked up the stairs in 40 meters of fabric. “I was washed with gratitude – a girl from Kenya who had this dream that seemed so unattainable that my mother protected, and my father encouraged, and now it’s come to fruition.”

She emphasized that we don’t necessarily belong where we are from – that’s just a starting point. “The more we understand that, the more we can do with it. We belong on this earth the second we get here.”

For her final remarks, she shared she had been thinking about the gift of curiosity. “When people are oppressed, the first thing taken away from them is freedom to be curious. I want to impart on people to hold on to your curiosity – it’s what keeps you engaged in life, youthful and growing, and when you let it go, that’s when you start to die. I am grateful for my career which forces me to be curious. When I start a role, I know nothing, and that exercise in being uncomfortable in what you don’t know and seeking to know it, keeps my brain sharp and my heart beating – it keeps me looking forward to a new day.”

Luncheon attendees included Kimberly Clifton; Katherine Coker; Elizabeth Gambrell; Tracey Nash-Huntley; Ashlee and Chris Kleinert; Wendy Messmann; Pat Schenkel; Beth Thoele; Dr. Melissa Tonn; Gail and Dr. R. Gerald Turner; Jessica Turner-Waugh; and Katherine Wynne.

Media sponsors were NBC5, PaperCity, and The Dallas Morning News.

Visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org/luncheon.

 

About New Friends New Life:

Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health, and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities. In 2020, NFNL served 330 members (clients). NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of human trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. More than 100 girls visited the YRC during its first year. In 2015, NFNL organized its Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

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New Friends New Life Launch Party NFNL CEO Bianca Davis, Luncheon Honorary Chairs Charlie and Tonya McKinney, Luncheon Co-Chairs Trina Terrell-Andrews and Jan Osborn

American Airlines and Dr. Monique W. Morris were announced as the 2021 ProtectHER Award recipients at the New Friends New Life Annual Luncheon Launch Party, hosted by New Friends New Life on September 22. The award recipients will be honored at the annual New Friends New Life luncheon, featuring a virtual conversation with Lupita Nyong’o on October 8, 11:30 a.m., at the OMNI Dallas Hotel.

American Airlines will be honored as a ProtectHER Award recipient for its commitment, in partnership with Jones Day, to helping remove the barriers of a criminal record obtained as a direct result of trafficking and exploitation partnership in the fight against human trafficking and child exploitation. In 2020 American began a partnership with NFNL, aiming to raise awareness of human trafficking and support the needs of victims and survivors in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Additionally, their legal team launched a new pro bono program to enable members of the team to volunteer to provide free legal services to people in need. In partnership with attorneys at Jones Day, American participated in an initiative led by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, providing legal help to Dallas-area residents ? including human trafficking survivors ? who were qualified to have offenses expunged. Expunging the records of these victims opens the door to a fresh start including better employment and housing as well as education.

Dr. Monique W. Morris, Ed.D., an award-winning author and social justice scholar with three decades of experience in the areas of education, civil rights, juvenile and social justice, will be recognized as a ProtectHER award recipient for her work educating the community on the disparities facing girls of color –a demographic that is disproportionately trafficked and exploited. Dr. Morris is president and CEO of Grantmakers for Girls of Color, committed to building a world in which all girls and gender-expansive youth of color are healthy, safe and thriving and fully empowered to dream and shape their desired reality on their terms. Her enlightening book and documentary, PUSHOUT, has demonstrated how the criminalization of Black girls in schools pushes girls out into the streets into trauma and violence. Her work has been profiled by MSNBC, CSPAN2, The Washington Post, The New York Times, NPR, and PBS, among other national and local print, radio, and television media.

“This year’s ProtectHER Award recipients are doing life-changing, impactful work, critical to our mission to improve the lives of trafficked and exploited women and girls who need our voice,” said Bianca Davis, CEO, New Friends New Life. “In addition to their extensive training program identifying and stopping traffickers, American Airlines is giving our members a new start on life by providing pro-bono legal services to expunge their records. Dr. Monique W. Morris is providing a transformative voice for young girls of color impacted by sex trafficking. By working together, we can continue to safeguard the rights of women and girls who are at-risk or have already suffered the trauma of human trafficking.”

Luncheon Co-Chairs Trina Terrell-Andrews and Jan Osborn joined Honorary Chairs Charlie and Tonya McKinney in generating excitement about the upcoming luncheon while visiting with the 70 attendees throughout the evening.

“We are so pleased to have Tonya and Charlie as this year’s honorary chairs,” said Bianca Davis, CEO, New Friends New Life. “For many years they have demonstrated an incredible commitment to the youth of this community, ultimately helping them find confidence, make good decisions, and change the trajectory of their futures – a perfect complement to the goals of our programs at New Friends New Life.”

Launch party guests, including Robin Bagwell, Brad Cheves, Kimberly Clifton, Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Jane Rose, Pat Schenkel, Beth Thoele, and Gail Turner, enjoyed gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches from Ruthie’s Rolling Café, ice cream from Baldo’s, and wine courtesy of Starpower. Tours of New Friends New Life were provided throughout the evening. Guests also had the opportunity to learn more about the luncheon's raffle items, including a “Travel to Your Dream Destination” package with 250,000 miles from American Airlines; “Treat You and Yours,” including fresh flowers delivered to your home every other month for a year from Garden Gate; an Isabella Guillien portrait; and $2,000 from Eiseman Jewels; and “Tasty Gourmet Gathering,” a two-hour grilled cheese party for 50 people hosted by Ruthie’s Rolling Café food truck.

NFNL CEO Bianca Davis recognized sponsors, host committee, staff, board, and co-chairs, the ProtectHER Award recipients and introduced Luncheon Co-Chair Jan Osborn, who has been involved with NFNL for more than 20 years and shared her personal story of the early days of the nonprofit.

Underwriting sponsorship opportunities begin at $2,500, and individual tickets are available for $250. A limited number of virtual access-only tickets can be purchased for $100. To reserve your sponsorship or seats, please visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org/luncheon, email events@newfriendsnewlife.org or contact Senior Development Director Priya Murphy at 214-217-8652.

Luncheon media sponsors are The Dallas Morning News, PaperCity, and NBC 5. Additional sponsors include Nancy and Rand Best, Ashlee and Chris Kleinert, Highlands Residential Mortgage (Empress Sponsors), Tracey Nash-Huntley and David Huntley, Tonya and Charlie McKinney, Pat and Pete Schenkel/Gail and Dr. R. Gerald Turner; and Beth and Chuck Thoele (Peacock Sponsors).

“Texas ranks second in the highest number of trafficking victims in the country, and the Dallas-Fort Worth area has the second-highest number of victims in the state,” added Davis. “When organizations and individuals such as these join the fight against sex trafficking, it fortifies our ability to empower survivors, hold traffickers and buyers accountable and prevent this $99 million crime from thriving in our community. We congratulate each of this year’s recipients on a job well done and appreciate their ongoing commitment to make a difference.”

# # #

About New Friends New Life:
Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health, and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities. In 2020, NFNL served 330 members (clients). NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of human trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. More than 100 girls visited the YRC during its first year. In 2015, NFNL organized its Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.

(PHOTO CREDIT:  LISA STEWART)

 

Join us for the luncheon on October 8! To become a sponsor or purchase a ticket, click here.

 

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Lupita Nyong'o Academy Award® Winner Lupita Nyong'o, champion of women and girls around the world, to headline New Friends New Life Annual Luncheon on Oct. 8.

“A Conversation with Nyong’o” will be presented virtually at this year’s hybrid event

New Friends New Life (NFNL) announces Lupita Nyong’o, Academy Award® winner, executive producer, New York Times best-selling author, and advocate for women and girls around the world, will headline the New Friends New Life Annual Luncheon that will be held on Friday, October 8 at 11:30 a.m., at the OMNI Dallas Hotel, 555 S. Lamar St. A hybrid event giving guests the opportunity to attend in-person or online, the luncheon will feature an in-person program, along with “A Conversation with Nyong’o,” presented virtually.  Luncheon co-chairs are Jan Osborn, founder of Dallas Doing Good, and Trina Terrell-Andrews, CEO of the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center.

Lupita Nyong’o is a Kenyan actress, producer and author. For her role in 12 Years a Slave, Nyong’o received the Academy Award® as well as the Screen Actors Guild® Award, the Critics’ Choice Award, the Independent Spirit Award, and the NAACP Award. For her starring role in Jordan Peele’s Us, Nyong’o received a Screen Actors Guild nomination, the NY Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress, and an NAACP Award. Upcoming, she will star in Marvel’s Black Panther 2 and Universal’s thriller The 355.

“New Friends New Life is both honored and excited to bring our supporters and friends together once again to celebrate the triumph of women and girls, and there are few voices more triumphant than that of Lupita Nyong’o,” said Bianca Jackson, CEO, New Friends New Life. “Exuding beauty, strength and courage, Lupita’s passion and message perfectly aligns with our mission to help restore and empower those who have been marginalized and minimized. By being her authentic self, she gives voice to the hopes and dreams of women and girls everywhere.”

Currently, Nyong’o executive produces the YouTube Originals family program, Super Sema. The animated series depicts Africa’s first kid superhero and features Nyong’o’s voice in a two-part episode. She is also currently filming Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever.  Additionally, she will co-produce and feature in Born a Crime, as well as executive produce and star in Apple TV’s Lady in the Lake. Past credits include Black PantherLittle MonstersQueen of?KatweStar Wars: The Force AwakensStar Wars: The Last Jedi, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Recently, she played “Julieta” in The Public Theater’s bilingual audio adaptation of Romeo y Julieta alongside Juan Castano. Nyong’o earned a Tony® nomination for her Broadway performance in Eclipsed. Her debut children's book, Sulwe, is a?New York Times?#1 Best Seller.

Underwriting sponsorship opportunities begin at $2,500, and individual tickets are available for $250. A limited number of virtual access-only tickets can be purchased for $100. To reserve your sponsorship or seats, please visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org/luncheon, email events@newfriendsnewlife.org or contact Senior Development Director Priya Murphy at 214-217-8652.

# # #

About New Friends New Life:
Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 1998, New Friends New Life (NFNL) restores and empowers trafficked and sexually exploited teen girls, women and their children, and drives awareness of the issue and its prevalence. By providing access to education, job training, interim financial assistance, mental health, and spiritual support, New Friends New Life helps women and their children overcome backgrounds of abuse, addiction, poverty, and limited opportunities. In 2020, NFNL served 330 members (clients). NFNL also educates the community and works to eradicate the epidemic of human trafficking through advocacy, legislative reform and strategic partnerships that address systemic causes. In 2018, NFNL opened a drop-in Youth Resource Center (YRC) in partnership with the Office of the Governor to serve trafficked and high-risk teen girls. More than 100 girls visited the YRC during its first year. In 2015, NFNL organized its Men's Advocacy Group to engage men in the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit http://www.newfriendsnewlife.org.