The Harriet Tubman Fellowship

The Harriet Tubman Fellowship for Labor Trafficking Survivors supports survivor-leaders and prepares them for management-level positions. The Fellowship has a key goal: to increase trafficking survivors’ power and influence by equipping them with the skills to take up leadership roles in the non-profit, private, and public sectors. The ultimate vision is for trafficking survivors to lead anti-trafficking (and other non-profit) organizations and to assume senior positions in the public sector.

Harriet Tubman Fellows will participate in an in-person communications and policy advocacy training in Washington, D.C. They will also have access to resources to build their leadership and professional skills. The fellowship period is two years. Each lived-experience survivor fellow will benefit from:

  • A $10,000 annual tuition grant for formal training in the field of their choice
  • A monthly $500 stipend 
  • In-person Communications and Policy Advocacy Training in Washington, D.C. 
  • Access to mentoring, coaching, and career development opportunities

The Harriet Tubman Fellowship invests in survivor leaders so they can attain financial stability and lead in their communities.

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Meet the second class of Harriet Tubman Fellows (2026-2028):

The Harriet Tubman Fellowship’s inaugural class is made up of five labor trafficking survivors who prevailed after a competitive application and interview process. The Human Trafficking Legal Center has been proud to support these Fellows in this chapter of their professional and personal journeys.

Kwami Adoboe-Herrera

Kwami Adoboe-Herrera is a father, educator, and founder of Teleios, a nonprofit that serves male trafficking survivors through safe housing and trauma-informed care. His goals through the Fellowship are to improve his nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and policy advocacy skills. He plans to pursue a graduate degree in Nonprofit Management or Public Administration.

Rafael Bautista

Rafael Bautista is the Chair of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, a subject matter expert on human trafficking, and a graduate of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ first Human Trafficking Leadership Academy. As a Fellow, Rafael intends to study to become a Legal Document Assistant and open his own office to provide support to his community, while also using photography to tell the stories of human trafficking survivors and raise awareness through a powerful visual lens.

Olga Hernandez

Olga Hernandez is a dedicated mother and committed to community service. She has a deep appreciation for social workers, recalling by name many who supported her and viewing them as instrumental in her healing and personal development. Through the Fellowship, Olga plans to pursue a license in social work and a master’s degree in criminal justice in order to strengthen her support of human trafficking survivors.

Andrea Mittman Thomas

Andrea Mittman Thomas is a Master of Social Work candidate at Cleveland State University and serves as the Co-Chair of the Collaborative to End Human Trafficking Survivor Advocate Committee. As a Fellow, Andrea plans to complete her MSW so she can support other survivors to thrive. She also hopes to improve her advocacy, public speaking, and leadership skills to become a stronger political advocate and grow into an executive leader.

Chantal La-Fon

Chantal La-Fon is a mother, trafficking survivor, lived-experience expert, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Growth Management Services, where she offers economic empowerment services. Over the two years of the Fellowship, Chantal plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and certifications in Human Resources and Nonprofit Management in order to strengthen her leadership and service to trafficking survivors.

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The Harriet Tubman Fellowship Advocacy

Evelyn Chumbow presents the Harriet Tubman Fellowship at the Advocacy Week Reception in August 2024.
Evelyn Chumbow presents the Harriet Tubman Fellowship at the Advocacy Week Reception in August 2024.
The Fellows visited the State Department Trafficking in Persons Office to discuss anti-trafficking advocacy. Pictured: Fellow Anthony Paco, Denisse Amezquita, Ambassador Cindy Dyer, Evelyn Chumbow, Grace N. Muwawa, Deputy Director Jonathan Turley, and Theresa Onya.
The Fellows visited the State Department Trafficking in Persons Office to discuss anti-trafficking advocacy. Pictured: Fellow Anthony Paco, Denisse Amezquita, Ambassador Cindy Dyer, Evelyn Chumbow, Grace N. Muwawa, Deputy Director Jonathan Turley, and Theresa Onya.
Thank you King & Spalding for hosting the Harriet Tubman Fellows' advocacy week & celebration last week. A special thanks to King & Spalding Pro Bono Partner Josh C. Toll for supporting the Harriet Tubman Fellowship Celebration.
Thank you King & Spalding for hosting the Harriet Tubman Fellows' advocacy week & celebration last week. A special thanks to King & Spalding Pro Bono Partner Josh C. Toll for supporting the Harriet Tubman Fellowship Celebration.
Evelyn Chumbow is pictured with Board Member Kathy Vizas. Kathy spent time with the Fellows throughout the Advocacy Week providing mentorship and guidance. Thank you Kathy!
Evelyn Chumbow is pictured with Board Member Kathy Vizas. Kathy spent time with the Fellows throughout the Advocacy Week providing mentorship and guidance. Thank you Kathy!
Anne Dickerson, 15 Minutes Group & Evelyn Chumbow, Advocacy and Survivor Leadership Director.
Anne Dickerson, 15 Minutes Group & Evelyn Chumbow, Advocacy and Survivor Leadership Director.
Anne Dickerson of 15 Minutes Group donated her time and skills to provide the Fellows with a communications training. Thank you, Anne!
Anne Dickerson of 15 Minutes Group donated her time and skills to provide the Fellows with a communications training. Thank you, Anne!
Pictured: Board Member Kathy Vizas and Harriet Tubman Fellow Anthony Paco.
Pictured: Board Member Kathy Vizas and Harriet Tubman Fellow Anthony Paco.
Fellow Denisse Amézquita Gamboa stands with Brandi Bynum, Unit Chief of Strategic Communications at the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking.
Fellow Denisse Amézquita Gamboa stands with Brandi Bynum, Unit Chief of Strategic Communications at the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking.
The Fellows met with the Department of Homeland Security. In these high-level meetings, moderated by Evelyn Chumbow, the Fellows advocated for a survivor-driven anti-trafficking policies.
The Fellows met with the Department of Homeland Security. In these high-level meetings, moderated by Evelyn Chumbow, the Fellows advocated for a survivor-driven anti-trafficking policies.
Fellow Grace Muwawa sits to the right of TIP Office Ambassador Cindy Dyer.
Fellow Grace Muwawa sits to the right of TIP Office Ambassador Cindy Dyer.
Advocacy & Survivor Leadership Director Evelyn Chumbow presented on Labor Trafficking and The Harriet Tubman Fellowship at the DHS Blue Campaign Symposium, January 2025.
Advocacy & Survivor Leadership Director Evelyn Chumbow presented on Labor Trafficking and The Harriet Tubman Fellowship at the DHS Blue Campaign Symposium, January 2025.
Four Harriet Tubman Fellows -- Denisse Amézquita Gamboa, Anthony Paco Bernaola, Grace Muwawa, & J. Samantha S. -- participated in a labor trafficking panel at the DHS Blue Campaign Symposium in January 2025. The Fellows shared their experiences and recommendations for a more victim-centered approach to ending trafficking.
Four Harriet Tubman Fellows -- Denisse Amézquita Gamboa, Anthony Paco Bernaola, Grace Muwawa, & J. Samantha S. -- participated in a labor trafficking panel at the DHS Blue Campaign Symposium in January 2025. The Fellows shared their experiences and recommendations for a more victim-centered approach to ending trafficking.
Anne Dickerson of 15 Minutes Group joined the Harriet Tubman Fellowship Second Annual Advocacy Week to provide pro bono communications training to the Fellows.
Anne Dickerson of 15 Minutes Group joined the Harriet Tubman Fellowship Second Annual Advocacy Week to provide pro bono communications training to the Fellows.

Press Release: The Human Trafficking Legal Center Announces Seven Inaugural Harriet Tubman Fellows

Press Release: The Human Trafficking Legal Center Launches Harriet Tubman Fellowship for Labor Trafficking Survivors

To donate to the Harriet Tubman Fellowship, click below.

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Meet the inaugural class of Harriet Tubman Fellows (2024-2026):

Denisse Amézquita Gamboa

Denisse Amezquita, a DACA recipient who has done extensive work with youth under the auspices of the National Hispanic Institute, plans to become a lawyer. Her long-term goal is to focus on immigration law to represent undocumented trafficking survivors. Amezquita intends to pursue paralegal training under the Harriet Tubman Fellowship, using the fellowship’s resources to continue her education. Ultimately, she hopes to counsel and defend trafficking survivors facing the immigration system alone.

Grace Muwawa

Grace Muwawa plans to use the skills she gains from the Harriet Tubman Fellowship to expand her work providing housing and education for children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. An entrepreneur, Muwawa is also developing a fashion brand to build financial resources to support services for children.

Anthony Paco Bernaola

Anthony Paco currently serves as the program coordinator for the Asian Association of Utah, where he supports labor trafficking survivors seeking services. He plans to use the Harriet Tubman Fellowship to hone his leadership and management skills. His ultimate goal is to establish a shelter dedicated to supporting male human trafficking survivors.

Theresa Onya

Theresa ONYA is currently completing her Bachelor’s degree in nursing. She intends to use the Harriet Tubman Fellowship to develop her skills as a patient advocate. Her goal is to support trafficking-survivor patients with education and resources so that they can determine their next steps after escape.

Richa Z.

Richa Z. aspires to become a lawyer to represent trafficking survivors pursuing justice and immigration relief. She plans to use the Harriet Tubman Fellowship to obtain a paralegal certification, the first step in her legal education. She is eager to continue her studies, as this will break the chains of trauma and allow her to support fellow trafficking survivors in her community.

Naima M.

Naima M., a gifted teacher, is passionate about empowering labor trafficking survivors to assert their rights in the workplace. Naima currently teaches English to refugees from Afghanistan, with a focus on empowering women. She plans to use the Harriet Tubman Fellowship to build her leadership skills, while continuing to provide education and language support to immigrant survivor communities.

J. Samantha S.

Jameela S. Stewart intends to use the Harriet Tubman Fellowship to build her policy advocacy, leadership, and technical skills. Her ultimate goal is to pursue a career in cybersecurity, while using her technical capability to build a community forum for survivors. She describes herself as a servant leader, who uses her opportunities to support colleagues and fellow survivors.