A Different Kind Of Healing
CEO and Founder
Dashamir Pettway (She, Her) was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Dashamir implements her passion and resilience from her lived experience to her work. Dashamir was a former National Youth consultant, has Training and Technical Assistance experience, and is now starting her own consultant journey with her firm I Am Living. Drawing upon the knowledge she acquired regarding trafficking patterns, investigative methodologies, and the psychology behind perpetrator networks, Dashamir developed a unique expertise in understanding the darker corners of sex trafficking. This newfound insight ignited a fervor within her, and she resolved to put her knowledge to use by establishing a consultant firm dedicated to combating sex trafficking. She has expertise in foster care, youth homelessness, the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, mentoring youth impacted by trafficking, and youth leadership program design and implementation. Dashamir has been involved with many local advocacy programs, including a Youth Advisory Board, where she supported other young leaders and advocated for change in the youth homelessness system. Through her work, Dashamir has worked to advocate and promote policy change and has conducted significant advocacy work at the national level, providing in-person and virtual training, resources, and technical assistance to organizations both locally and nationally to assist them in establishing authentic relationships with young people and preventing and addressing sexual exploitation of youth and young adults, and Black girls. .
"Starting a business specializing in sex trafficking survivor consulting was a natural progression for me, driven by a personal journey of resilience and triumph over adversity. My passion for bringing about societal change and my deep empathy for survivors fuel my commitment to help organizations develop policies that prioritize these individuals' safety, healing, and empowerment. Through this consulting, I hope to contribute to a world where sex trafficking is eradicated, survivors are supported, and society as a whole embraces the collective responsibility to combat this grave injustice. "
-Dasha
What Inspired I Am Living LLC?
Personal Triumph over Tragedy
Having endured the unimaginable horrors of sex trafficking firsthand, I became intimately aware of the traumas faced by survivors. My journey towards recovery was arduous, but it also provided me with valuable insights into the gaps and shortcomings in existing policies and support systems. Recognizing the strength within myself and other survivors, I was inspired to take action and channel this energy into affecting meaningful change.
The Desire for Societal Transformation
Surviving such a traumatic experience ingrained in me a deep sense of empathy and compassion towards other survivors. I observed how society often stigmatizes and marginalizes these individuals, hindering their path to recovery. I firmly believe that empathy is the catalyst for societal transformation. Understanding the multifaceted aspects of sex trafficking, from victim identification to survivor rehabilitation, I was driven to create a consulting firm that would help organizations navigate these complexities and develop survivor-centric policies.
Bridging the Existing Policy Gaps
My ultimate vision was to bridge the significant gaps in policy and education surrounding sex trafficking, thereby empowering organizations to provide comprehensive support for survivors. Reflecting on my own experiences, I recognized a pressing need for better prevention strategies, enhanced victim identification, trauma-informed care, and increased survivor reintegration programs. These critical components became the pillars upon which my business
Aiming to Make a Difference
The desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of survivors was a driving force behind the establishment of my consulting firm. By working intimately with organizations on a local and national level, I could help them not only understand the intricacies of sex trafficking but also develop impactful initiatives that would create lasting change. Consulting would allow me to utilize my unique perspective to dismantle harmful stigmas, advocate for survivors' rights, and enhance their overall well-being.
Consulting Done Differently
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