Help Mary Use Media 2 Fight Slavery

To some people, I make no sense.

Obssessed with ending human trafficking, media, law, and the arts... they don't intuitively go together. But what I have found is that all four affect our communities, from children in the poorest slums to top executives globally. And I mean ALL of our communities, even suburbs in the U.S. How many girls fall prey to traffickers  because they want someone to think they are beautiful like the singers they see in magazines or on music videos? How many people opened their eyes to slavery because they saw "Taken," or a news story? How many victims continue to be held in horrific captivity because of laws in Mauritania that allow women to be raped by their slave owners? 

If media and law are central to exploitation, we must make them central to FIGHTING exploitation. I want to capitalize on this intersection to help bring freedom to all those living in bondage. And I've found a program that will help me to do it. 

I have been selected to join the THNK School of Creative Leadership , an 18 month program that brings together 35 innovative leaders from around the world to develop solutions to global problems. The THNK program, which has been profiled by Forbes, is a  public-private partnership  supported by the Dutch government, McKinsey & Company, Stanford University Business School, and others.  

The first six months of the program involve week-long intensives in Amsterdam, followed by a year-long accelerator program where faculty assist us with projects of our choice. 

My project, as you may have guessed, will involve using media and the arts to expose human trafficking. 

While in Amsterdam, I plan to partner with local government and Not For Sale , an anti-trafficking organization that does outreach to those exploited in the red light district. 

The scope of what I could achieve through this is unimaginable. Past success stories are viewable here. 

If I can raise the funds, I will be one of the youngest participants in the program's history, with access to some of the most successful and influential leaders in the world. This is my chance to collaborate with power-players in the highest levels of business and government to gain their participation and support on fighting slavery at every level.  

The tuition for the program is $50,000 Euros, not including travel or housing. Through scholarships and work on human trafficking, I have been graciously awarded $47,500 Euros for tuition. That leaves me with $15,000 in costs to cover: Tuition ($2831 USD), four trips to Amsterdam and back ($8,000 USD), as well as housing ($4,000) and incidentals ($169). 

This program is not cheap, but it is also rare. It is a base to cultivate the most incredible of opportunities: using what has been oppressing so many to bring freedom instead of pain.  

I have until August 1 to raise all $15,000. 

Will you help me?