“Think Like An Engineer & Human Trafficking Awareness”
A surge of enthusiasm swept through the emerging young adults in our community following a compelling session at the STEAM Academy. On the morning of January 27, the vibrant cohort from the Links’ Leadership STEAM Academy convened at Emerson Middle School on 801 4th Street for their monthly gathering. The discussions ranged from empowering children of color with the opportunities to pursue their dreams through determined effort to shedding light on the harsh realities of human trafficking, a pressing issue in our society.
By Jason Land Jr. | Contributing Writer
A surge of enthusiasm swept through the emerging young adults in our community following a compelling session at the STEAM Academy. On the morning of January 27, the vibrant cohort from the Links’ Leadership STEAM Academy convened at Emerson Middle School on 801 4th Street for their monthly gathering. The discussions ranged from empowering children of color with the opportunities to pursue their dreams through determined effort to shedding light on the harsh realities of human trafficking, a pressing issue in our society.
Dr. Stephanie Powell- National & International Expert on Human Trafficking (Photo Credit: Jason Land)
In addressing the audience, Dr. Stephanie Powell, a nationally and internationally recognized expert on human trafficking, emphasized the stark truth that sexual predators are not confined to the stereotypical stranger in a white van scenario. Instead, she unveiled that only 1% of trafficking cases involve such situations, with the majority of victims knowing their traffickers. The insidious nature of these crimes involves the establishment of a bond of trust, making it crucial for the community to be vigilant in protecting its innocent children from potential dangers.
Links Ladies with Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh (Photo Credit: Jason Land)
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Dr. Powell revealed alarming statistics—the average age of entry into human trafficking is between 12 and 14, dropping to 11 for black women. She emphasized the increasing threat posed by online platforms, such as YouTube and Instagram, where predators can exploit technological advancements to target unsuspecting children. In response, she urged parents to actively monitor and filter their children’s online interactions to prevent them from falling victim to this tragic reality.
“Bottom line of this is one thing you’re going to understand is that if you know someone who has gotten caught up in this, or you yourself have been caught up in it, just know at the end of the day that you have the power! You don’t always have to say yes to things you don’t want to do.” — Dr. Stephanie Powell, Anti-Human Trafficking Advocacy
In a refreshing shift of focus, Ashley Davis, an Aera Energy Engineer, brought a positive and engaging tone to the event for the students of Links’ Leadership STEAM Academy. Tasked with designing and engineering a stable structure, the students were provided with a mentally stimulating challenge. Davis guided them through the intricacies of architectural elements and problem-solving in engineering. Encouraging the students to approach the task like engineers, she emphasized the importance of defining problems, conducting research, and designing effective solutions—a valuable lesson that extended beyond engineering to enhance their overall problem-solving skills in complex situations.
Ashley Davis- Aero Energy Engineer (Photo Credit: Jason Land)
