Eyes Wide Open: A Community’s Call to Action

A half-day symposium empowers DC residents to combat trafficking and support missing Black women and girls.
  • Social Action

On March 16, 2024, the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter Social Action Committee, in partnership with the Black and Missing Foundation, hosted Eyes Wide Open: Help Us Find Us, a powerful community symposium at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. The free, half-day event—part of our Regional Day of Service—brought together attendees to confront the crisis of human trafficking and missing Black women and girls in the District.

The program featured remarks from city officials and survivors, along with panel discussions and breakout sessions designed to inform and empower. Participants learned how to avoid being trafficked, how to recognize trafficking victims, and how to seek help for themselves or others.

Award-winning journalist Tracee Wilkins moderated discussions that brought together advocates, public officials, law enforcement, and survivors.

Emceed by award-winning investigative journalist, Soror Tracee Wilkins (NBC4), the program emphasized awareness, prevention, and advocacy. She guided the day’s conversations, helping connect expert perspectives with meaningful community dialogue that informed, challenged, and inspired attendees.

Featured experts and community leaders included Black and Missing Foundation Co-Founders Derrica Wilson and Natalie Wilson, Councilmember Christina Henderson, MPD Assistant Police Chief Andre Wright, survivor-advocates Stacy Jewell and Barbara Jean Wilson, and Ruth Richardson, former Minnesota State Representative. 

Panelists from law enforcement, advocacy organizations, government, and survivor communities shared practical strategies for prevention, awareness, and intervention.
Students participated in interactive activities that encouraged advocacy, awareness, and civic engagement.

A youth-focused “Power to the Youth” track invited middle and high school students to participate in interactive activities like writing letters to survivors and contacting legislators. Guests also enjoyed spoken word performances, a documentary screening, book signings, and meals throughout the day.

Throughout the panel discussions, speakers emphasized that lasting change depends on awareness, collaboration, and community involvement.

"One in every four of you could go missing. That's a reality. Your family deserves to know what happened to you. We cannot do this work alone—we need our community, the media, and law enforcement to join us in this fight because too many of our people are missing."
— Natalie Wilson, Co-Founder, Black and Missing Foundation, Inc.

The successful event underscored the urgent need for visibility and created space for the community to engage elected officials and advocate for stronger legislation to protect Black women and girls.

The symposium encouraged meaningful dialogue among attendees, creating opportunities to connect, reflect, and continue the conversation beyond the formal program.

Watch highlights from WDCAC’s Eyes Wide Open symposium and hear conversations that inspired greater awareness, education, and community action.

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