Our CEO’s Story

Once a Victim, Once a Survivor, Now a Liberator
The Story of Shamere McKenzie
Life with a purpose:

A Greater Purpose

God calls each of us to live a life that serves a higher purpose, one that transcends our own desires and passions. In a world that often pulls us toward self-interest, it’s easy to forget that we are meant for something greater, something that reaches beyond the comfort we seek. Every hardship we endure, every challenge we face, is woven into God’s greater plan for us. Our lives are shaped long before we even understand the purpose of our journey. Some, in their pain, question why they suffer, unable to move beyond their grief. Others, like Shamere, realize that the very trials that seem insurmountable are divine stepping stones, leading them to something far beyond themselves. Shamere knows, without a doubt, that without God’s guidance and strength, she would not be standing where she is today. Her survival is a testament to divine purpose, a survivor not only of the unimaginable but also of a purpose far beyond herself. Shamere believes she endured the darkest of hells so she could be a beacon of light for others still trapped in chains.

Her Journey Began in Silence

Shamere’s story began like any other college student’s, a promising future, full of dreams and aspirations. At 21, Shamere was on a full athletic scholarship at a New York college. But everything changed when she met a man who, unbeknownst to her, would become her trafficker. He appeared charming, intelligent, and sincere, someone who seemed to care. They quickly formed a connection, and soon, she trusted him. What she didn’t know was that he was a pimp, seeking his next victim. His “help” meant exploiting Shamere for the next 18 months, pulling her into the cruel world of commercial sex.

For over a year, Shamere’s life became an endless cycle of violence and terror. Forced to work as a prostitute seven nights a week, her humanity was stripped from her with every cruel encounter. Beaten, raped, and tortured, Shamere was trafficked across five states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Texas, and Florida, where every night she was forced to meet an insidious quota of $1,500 to $3,000. If she failed, the punishment was brutal.

The Cost of Resistance

But even in the face of unimaginable brutality, Shamere’s spirit remained unbroken. Her resilience was fierce, refusing to surrender her will, even as she endured relentless abuse. Despite repeated attempts to escape, she lived in constant fear, knowing that defying him could cost her life, or the lives of those she loved. Still, she helped two women escape, risking everything in the process. Her disobedience, her defiance, was met with extreme violence. On once occasion, her pimp put a gun to her mouth and pulled the trigger. The gun was empty. But that didn’t stop the savage beating that followed. In the face of death, Shamere was forced by her trafficker to transport other women across state lines, one of them only 12 years old.

The Moment of Escape

Shamere, like so many victims, struggled with the question: “Why didn’t she just go to the police?” Trust was something she no longer had. She had been arrested multiple times, humiliated by officers who were often her buyers. In desperation, Shamere stopped earning money for her trafficker, returning with only a fraction of the nightly quota. That act of resistance led to a deadly confrontation where her pimp, angry and armed, threatened to kill her. But in that moment, Shamere was given a second chance by a man who, to this day, she calls her “guardian angel.” He offered her safety, food, and a way to contact her mother. Shamere never saw his face again, but his kindness gave her the strength to run, and she never looked back.

A Voice for the Voiceless

Shamere’s story doesn’t end with her escape. Today, she is a powerful advocate for others who are still trapped, using her voice to expose the horrors of human trafficking to the world. Her healing was not instantaneous; the journey was long and painful. For a time, Shamere struggled with depression and even contemplated suicide on multiple occasions. She couldn’t understand why she had been chosen for such a fate, why she had been charged as a felon when she was clearly a victim. But one encounter changed her life forever. Meeting Kevin Bales, the co-founder of Free the Slaves, lit a spark within Shamere. It was then that she realized her story had purpose, a purpose that could help others. She began answering calls on a survivor’s hotline, helping other girls who were suffering like she once had.

Shamere McKenzie: A Trailblazer and Advocate

Shamere McKenzie is not only a survivor but a distinguished consultant with the United Nations and various U.S. government agencies. She is a passionate activist and internationally recognized speaker specializing on human trafficking. Leveraging her lived experience and expertise, Shamere transforms adversity into advocacy, driving systemic change and advancing policies promoting justice, protection, and meaningful survivor inclusion nationally and globally.  As the CEO of Sun Gate Foundation, she channels her unwavering commitment to education and policy, providing survivors of human trafficking with essential educational opportunities.

Her influence extends far beyond her local community. Shamere serves as a co-chair on the Maryland State Human Trafficking Task Force’s Victim Services Committee and has been a key figure in anti-trafficking work in Jamaica, where she proudly holds the title of Jamaica's first Anti-Human Trafficking Ambassador since 2018. Her work has trained numerous professionals, including the FBI, Homeland Security, and Diplomatic Security, as well as personnel from industries like hotels, airlines, and churches, equipping them with the tools to identify and respond to human trafficking.

Her pioneering work has been featured in several books, documentaries, and media outlets, including her recent documentary “False Promises," released in Aruba in 2018. The film highlights sex trafficking awareness among Caribbean youth. Shamere has also trained professionals and educated students, sharing her life-changing message on a global scale.

Shamere’s Journey Continues

Today, Shamere is not just a survivor — she is a liberator. With a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Loyola University Chicago and numerous accolades for her tireless work, Shamere is breaking barriers and helping others to do the same. Through her leadership at Sun Gate Foundation, she continues to pave the way for survivors to access education, regain independence, and build a future of hope. Shamere has dedicated her life to ensuring that the voices of the enslaved are heard and their stories are shared.

She doesn’t just talk about change — she is the change.