About The Partnership for Human Freedom

Mission

The Partnership for Human Freedom is an initiative of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. In the spirit of the abolitionist movement, the Partnership offers a critical lens on current slavery issues by:

Amplifying ongoing efforts of abolitionists around the world.
Educating people about slavery today
Inspiring people to become modern-day abolitionists and join the anti-slavery movement

Current initiatives of the Partnership include the following:

National network of partner NGOs
National Anti-Slavery Leaders Retreat 2009
Statewide meeting of Ohio anti-trafficking groups August 2008
Development of contemporary slavery curriculum for schools
Greater Cincinnati Human Trafficking Report
Human trafficking curricula for law enforcement personnel, judges, and healthcare and social service providers
Leading member of End Slavery Cincinnati Rescue & Restore Coalition
Invisible: Slavery Today Exhibit
Anti-Slavery Youth Coalition
Community awareness-building events
Local and regional speaking engagements
Pimp control public service announcements with national partners

History:

2008

Freedom Center's Major Voices Speakers Series: Slavery in America: Past and Present. Guest speakers included Dr. Michael Dyson (professor and author) and Given Kachepa (survivor of contemporary slavery)
Participated in and showcased Invisible: Slavery Today exhibit artifacts at United Nations' Vienna Forum on Human Trafficking
Co-sponsored Human Trafficking Awareness Event with Wyoming High School students, featuring Kevin Bales, President of Free the Slaves, as keynote speaker

2007

Showcased Invisible: Slavery Today traveling exhibit at Russell Senate Building, Washington DC
Lectured at numerous venues, including Ohio University, University of Cincinnati, Denison University, Methodist Theological School of Ohio, and Prevent Child Abuse Ohio Conference.
Joined Rescue & Restore Cincinnati Coalition to combat human trafficking locally
Launched Invisible: Slavery Today exhibit

2006

Partnered with the YWCA's Alliance for Immigrant Women and Polaris Project to host a two day conference on the parallels between human trafficking and domestic violence in immigrant communities.

2005

Collaborated with Congressional Black Caucus to bring contemporary anti-slavery experts together to spread public awareness

2004

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center opened its doors with the mission to educate the public about the history of slavery and the abolitionist movement in the United States.

Staff Profile

Kathleen YS Davis, kdavis@nurfc.org

Director, Contemporary Slavery Programs

Kathleen joined the Freedom Center in September 2007 as the Partnership for Human Freedom's Program Coordinator. Prior to her arrival, Kathleen worked as the Polaris Project Ohio Coordinator in which she focused primarily on policy advocacy, legislation and public awareness in Ohio on the issue of human trafficking. In 2005, Kathleen released a Polaris Project report entitled "Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery in Ohio" and has been published on the issue of human trafficking. She remains active with the Polaris Project, which has partnered with the Freedom Center on various anti-slavery projects. Kathleen received her BA and MA in International Studies/Relations from Wright State University.

Julie Arostegui, jarostegui@nurfc.org

Manager, Partnership for Human Freedom

After serving as a consultant on the Partnership, Julie joined the staff as the Manager of the Partnership for Human Freedom in February 2008. Julie has experience in human rights, immigration, and labor and employment law (with extensive work in the public sector) and is licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio. Julie received her bachelor's degree from Brandeis University, and a law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where she studied and worked with the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights. She also completed a Masters Degree in International Relations and Communications from the Universidad Complutense of Madrid, Spain, where she spent time living, working and studying.