VALDOSTA, Ga. – With the increasing issues surrounding human trafficking around the country, the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) reached out to several local affiliate organizations to collaborate on educating the community on the growing issue of human trafficking in and throughout the state of Georgia.

On Thursday, February 20, the National Council of Negro Women, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Kappa Eta Omega Chapter), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Valdosta Alumnae Chapter), Zeta Phi Beta Sorority (Zeta Sigma Zeta Graduate Chapter), and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (Kappa Psi Sigma Chapter) and the Valdosta State University Section of NCNW will host phase one of a Human Trafficking Forum at 6 p.m. at Mathis City Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

The Valdosta Divine Nine organization which includes the previously listed sororities along with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity will provide free dinner at the event.

Although this event is free, participants are encouraged to bring personal hygiene items that will be donated to the Pines Rehabilitation Center in Valdosta. Local government and community leaders will be present to provide resources and information to the community on strategies of ending human trafficking and what to be on the lookout for while doing normal, everyday activities.

Representatives from Gilead, the U.S. Attorney’s office and the Agnes Scott College-Human Trafficking Initiative will be included in a panel discussion to provide facts and pertinent information as it relates to the growing issue of human trafficking.

For more questions or for more information contact:  Ms. Sharah Denton, State of Georgia NCNW President at statepres.ncnwga@gmail.com, or Dr. Jamie Foster-Hill, Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan NCNW President at ncnwofvaldosta@gmail.com or 229-234-2353. Registration for the event is not required.