Tickets
General Ticket: $10
Members: $5
We are grateful to collaborate with Hope And Resilience Long Island (HARLI) to bring you an informative and meaningful discussion bringing awareness to human trafficking and the actionable steps we can take to prevent it. Bianca C. Collins, Vice President of HARLI and enrolled tribal citizen of the Shinnecock Nation, Alyssa Harrilal, a survivor of human trafficking and member of the ECLI-VIBES Survivors board, and Nina Hobson, a former British detective and current Head of Security for global executive protection teams, are joined by moderator Patricia McCormick, the best-selling author of SOLD and Never Fall Down.
All speakers and the moderator have unique expertise on human trafficking, providing a depth of knowledge and sensitivity aimed to illuminate a difficult yet critical topic.
Following the discussion there will be a Q&A of pre-submitted questions from the audience; to submit, please click here.
The discussion will address: What is human trafficking, and how does happen locally? What current preventative measures are being pursued and legislated by governments and law enforcement? And most importantly, what actionable steps can we take as a community to de-escalate the rising number of human trafficking cases?
With national attention on global scandals that have involved human trafficking and sexual exploitation, sharing awareness of the trafficking that happens in our own local area is critical for galvanizing support and change. Come listen, hear, and believe the voices of survivors and help amplify their calls to action.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
BIANCA C. COLLINS
Vice President of HARLI and enrolled tribal citizen of the Shinnecock Nation
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Bianca Collins is tribal citizen and former Councilwoman of the Shinnecock Nation, whose unceded sovereign territory is located within what is now known as Southampton, NY. Like many tribal citizens, she has embraced the responsibility of advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples by raising awareness and increasing visibility through educational efforts.
As an active community member, she has dedicated her time to participating in tribal legislative processes, community organizing, serving on local advisory boards and committees, and as a board member within various local non-profits. Over the years, she has served on the Shinnecock Election Committee, Shinnecock Housing Committee, Padoquohan Medicine Lodge, Grave Protection Warrior Society, Niamuck Land Trust, Southampton Town Community Housing Fund Advisory Board, and Shinnecock Nation Council of Trustees.
Currently, Bianca is the Vice-President of Hope and Resilience Long Island, an organization that provides support services and advocates for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, a Participatory Grantmaker of the Long Island Unity Fund, founding member of the We Are Long Island Organizing Hub, Organizer of the locally hosted Indigenous Artisans Market at Raindrop’s Cafe and Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration, Owner/Organic Coffee Roaster of Divine Matriarch Coffee, and Co-Founder/Director of Communications & Outreach of the Metoac Indigenous Collective.
ALYSSA HARRILAL
Survivor of Human Trafficking and member of the ECLI-VIBES Survivors Board
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Alyssa Harrilal is a mother, advocate, and speaker whose voice is rooted in resilience, healing, and lived experience. Her journey has been shaped by early life challenges that required her to navigate the world with strength and independence from a young age. Instead of allowing those experiences to define her, Alyssa chose to rebuild- creating a life grounded in purpose, growth, and service to others.
Today, she is an entrepreneur committed to helping people in her community and beyond rebuild their lives, especially when it comes tot financial stability and opportunity, but her impact goes far beyond finances. Alyssa is deeply dedicated to supporting women and individuals who have faced hardship, helping them reconnect with their worth and recognize that their story does not end where their struggle began. She is a leader and advocate within her community, facilitating writing, financial wellness, and reentry programs for women, including those who are incarcerated and preparing to return home.
In addition to her work I the community, Alyssa is currently pursuing a degree in paralegal studies, with plans to attend law school. Her goal is to expand her impact through advocacy and continue creating real opportunities for those whose voices are often overlooked.
Her message is simple: the greatest project you will ever work on is you.
NINA HOBSON
Former British Detective and current Head of Security for global executive protection teams
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Nina Hobson is a former British detective with 15 years of experience specializing in covert operations, major crime investigations, and close personal protection. Throughout her law enforcement career, she led high-profile undercover operations targeting serious offenses including murder, kidnapping, and global fraud exceeding $100 million.
One of the few women to reach her level as Head of Security, Hobson has directed elite protection teams for A-list celebrities, high-net-worth individuals, dignitaries, and CEOs of major global corporations. Her expertise spans both operational leadership and strategic security planning at the highest level.
In 2006, Hobson took the extraordinary step of exposing systemic corruption within the British police force. Working undercover for 10 months with covert recording equipment, she gathered critical evidence at significant personal risk, including the threat of imprisonment. The footage became the basis for the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary Undercover Copper, which received a BAFTA nomination. That same year, she was named a finalist for the UK Woman of the Year Awards. She was later recognized as a finalist for Australian Woman of the Year in 2014 and 2016 and was runner-up for Australian Businesswoman of the year.
Today, Hobson leads executive protection teams globally and serves as a security and investigations consultant for major platforms including HBO Max, Netflix, and Discovery+. She is also deeply committed to philanthropy, supporting anti-poaching efforts in Zimbabwe and working to combat sex trafficking through direct recover operations.
PATRICIA MCCORMICK
Best-selling author of SOLD and Never Fall Down
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Patricia McCormick, a two-time National Book Award finalist, is the author of several critically acclaimed novels, including Never Fall Down, the true story of a boy who survived the killing fields of Cambodia by playing music for the Khmer Rouge, and SOLD, a moving account of sexual trafficking. She is also the co-author of I Am Malala, the story of Malala Yousafzai, the girl who was shot by the Taliban in her fight for education. SOLD was made into a feature film starring Gillian Anderson in 2016. Her books have been named to the New York Times Notable Books list, Publishers Weekly Best Books list, and NPR’s BEST BOOKS list. Her journalism has appeared in The New York Times, the Washington Post Magazine, and other national publications. In 2024, PEN America listed SOLD as one of the top ten most-banned books in the country. McCormick lives in Sag Harbor.
HARLI
Hope And Resilience Long Island
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HARLI is a nonprofit organization founded in early 2022 in response to the growing need for survivor support services on Long Island, with a particular focus on the East End. Over the past 15 years, East End communities have experienced population growth at rates significantly higher than other parts of the country, state, and nation; and with that growth has come a corresponding rise in incidents of domestic abuse and other crimes. The need is real and urgent: nationally, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime; nationally, more than 400,00 adults and children over the age of 12 are traumatized by sexual assault every year, and human trafficking is not a distant problem, it is happening in our own communities. HARLI was created to meet survivors where they are, offering trauma-informed support services including bilingual advocates and case managers, as well as referrals to lawyers and counseling services. Because ever survivor deserves to be heard, believed, and supported on their own terms, HARLI is committed to providing compassionate, culturally responsive care for all who need it.