On March 14, The Night Ministry participated in a powerful community forum hosted by the Chicago Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.

The forum, “The Intersection Between Gender Based Violence, Trafficking, Missing Black Women and Girls and Advocacy 2026,” brought together parents, community members, activists, teachers, and youth at John Harvard Elementary School, located on Chicago’s South Side, to raise awareness on the urgent issues of gender-based violence and missing and exploited Black women and girls.

Allison McCann-Stevenson, Vice President of Programs and Services, was one of 10 panelists that included State Senator Mattie Hunter, Alderperson Jeanette Taylor, Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon, Amber Boyd – Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, Victoria Davis Jones – Illinois Department of CFS/Human Trafficking Program Manager, and moderated by Rev. Dr. Alexis Brinkley

State Senator Mattie Hunter provided details regarding legislation that she is sponsoring to establish the Ebony Alert System, a system designed to help locate missing Black youth and young adults (ages 12–25) by issuing public alerts similar to AMBER alerts. Thus far, more than 200 letters from the community have been received in support of the Ebony Alert as well as the creation of an Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls within the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

Data shared during the panel was a reminder of why this is an important issue:
• The leading cause of youth trafficking vulnerability is leaving home due to family disputes
• Between 2024 and now, 88 youth reported their last address was outside of Illinois
• 61% had previously experienced homelessness

“Being part of this conversation was profoundly powerful and give voice to an unspoken issue,” stated Allison McCann-Stevenson, Vice President of Programs and Services at The Night Ministry. “These stories are not just statistics—they are our neighbors and our community members. At The Night Ministry, we witness every day how vulnerability is compounded by systemic inequities and the impact it has on communities of color. Coming together in spaces like this reminds me that change begins when we listen, when we believe, and when we act with compassion and purpose.”