Saturday, October 4, 2014

Socially Conscious Fashion Brand Inspires Community Heroes to “Strike-A-Pose” to End Sex Trafficking


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sep. 29, 2014 - MIAMI -- It started with a simple question, “What can I do to end sex trafficking here in Miami?” This was the question that CLOAK INC CEO and Founder, Ebonie Mukasa, asked herself when confronted with the view of her community and the apathy she saw among those in it. She found that many were overwhelmed by the issue and had no idea where to start. So, she decided to approach the subject creatively through a fashionable, message based, retro graphic novel concept entitled, “SAVESEX”. An evolution to this concept, the “I AM + HERO” Anti-sex trafficking campaign will be launched in the spring of 2015. "Finding creative ways to deal with tough issues is the basis of CLOAK INC’s business model,” says Ebonie. Founded in 2008, they have been on a mission of love by being the voice of the voiceless and supporting organizations helping those in our global community face some of the toughest moments in their lives.

To that end, on Saturday, October 25, 2014, CLOAK INC will host its first “I AM + HERO” Community Photo shoot at the Wynwood Warehouse Project located at 450 NW 27th Street, Miami, FL., 33127 from 1:00pm – 5:00pm. They invite YOU to participate as a model in what will be a city-wide awareness campaign that will take place in spring 2015. This action packed event will be a day of fashion, music, food and fun as we "Strike-A-Pose and Liberate Lives!" The event will also honor community heroes, Jorge Vietia, Executive Director of Life of Freedom Center, a community resource that offers free support and restorative programs for female survivors of sexual exploitation and human trafficking; and Linda Pulley Freeman is the Executive Director of Peacemakers at Trinity Church (Miami) and author of The Thrive Journal. Linda is donating 100% of the proceeds from her most recent published work, Inspired for Greater Things, to support the work of Teen Challenge Cambodia (TCC). TCC's mission is to provide rehabilitation and restoration programs for those who desire to escape the drug and sex trafficking industry on the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The urgency of addressing human trafficking couldn’t be more apparent. According to the United States Department of Justice, each year an estimated 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked in the United States alone. These are staggering numbers that speak to a huge problem that can no longer be ignored. Human sex trafficking is more lucrative than the drug trade because the victim can be sold over and over again. Therefore, prevention and awareness are paramount. Often people are deterred from the fight because they think that it involves knocking down doors of houses that harbor those who have possibly been kidnapped and exploited. Combatting this mindset is what makes events like the “I AM+ HERO” Community Photo Shoot so important. The event offers those attending an opportunity to identify individuals and organizations in the community who are lending their resources to the fight. Attendees are also joining the fight simply by purchasing a ticket to the event because 20% of the proceeds will go to Life of Freedom Center, a resource that offers free support and restorative programs to female survivors.

Of course, an event of this magnitude and scope could not be possible without a group of sponsors and collaborators dedicated to making a difference. With the generous support of its sponsors, The Dreaded Indie, Jennjins Sweets & Premier Events, WEBNIE | Creative Business Solutions, and OUCHGirl International this event was made possible. As well, CLOAK INC has found a dynamic group of partners to make this event an experience unlike any other. Among those lending their talents to the “I AM + HERO” Community Photo Shoot are photographers James Eagles and Anthony Jordon, makeup artists Tahisha Legrand, Christina Neptune, and Katherine Cardona with makeup provided, in part, by Mary Kay Director, Alice Fields, and musical guests Shekitra Starke and Chris Wisdom Leger.

For anyone who ever asked what they could do to make a difference in ending the human trafficking epidemic, attending the “I AM + HERO” Community Photo Shoot on October 25th is a good start. For more information or to RSVP please contact Dawn Mangham by phone at 305-725-6633 or email pr@cloakinc.com. Connect with CLOAK INC on
Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram “@cloakinc”.

Additionally, feel free to visit the event website at
http://IAMHEROPROJECT.ORG.

ABOUT CLOAK INC

CLOAK INC is a social enterprise that, since 2008, has been on a mission to cover those in need through fashion. Using our moral and faith based values as a guide, our simple formula for social change is to be a part of the solution or to create one. We create unique fashion campaign collections to raise awareness and funds for social issues facing our global community. LOVE is our engine, HOPE is our message, and HELP is our purpose.

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