From Captive to Champion…Survivor to Advocate
In every generation, there are women whose lives redefine courage, purpose, and resilience—Dr. Tonya Stafford is one of them. Once a voiceless teen trapped in the unimaginable horror of familial trafficking, Dr. Stafford emerged not only as a survivor but as a bold, unwavering force for justice. Rescued after a decade of silence and suffering, she transformed her pain into purpose, founding It’s Going To Be OK, Inc., a sanctuary of healing for fellow survivors and their children.
Named a 2024 L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Honoree, Dr. Stafford’s mission is clear: to shine a light on the stories too often left in the shadows—especially those of Black and Brown girls—and to fight with everything she has so that no survivor walks alone. In this powerful conversation, she shares her harrowing journey, the heart behind her work, and how faith, advocacy, and unwavering love are changing lives one story at a time.
Join us as we honor Dr. Tonya Stafford—a powerful voice and courageous survivor and champion who brings awareness to human trafficking, advocates for the unheard, and helps rescue and restore the lives of women and children with purpose and compassion.
Welcome to The Adorned Life! It is indeed an honor and our great pleasure to have you here! Will you begin by telling us a little about yourself and the journey that has brought you to where you currently are?
I am a survivor of familial trafficking—sold by my own mother at the age of 13 in Dallas, Texas. I spent ten years in captivity, enduring unimaginable abuse, rape, fear, and isolation. For a decade, I lived in silence.
Everything changed when one brave and compassionate neighbor saw something, said something, and chose to act. She helped rescue me and my three children each of them born while I was in captivity. Because of her, I found my voice. Because of her, I found my purpose. I now have four children.
Today, I stand not just as a survivor, but as an advocate, founder, and relentless fighter for justice and for those still silenced. I am also honored to be named a 2024 L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Honoree—a title I don’t wear for the spotlight, but to shine a light on the girls who are still unseen and unheard.
Black women and girls represent nearly 40% of human trafficking victims in the U.S., even though we make up just 13% of the population. That statistic isn’t just data it’s deeply personal. It’s why I do this work with urgency, with heart, and with an unwavering commitment to healing, safety, and justice.
Tell us about your organization. What is its mission, and what inspired you to start it?
I founded It’s Going To Be OK, Inc. in 2014 to provide safe housing, healing, and holistic trauma-informed informed care to survivors of human trafficking and their children. Our mission is to ensure that every survivor especially Black and Brown women and girls has access to trauma-informed therapy, case management, life skills, and unconditional support.
I also played a role in the passage of Texas House Bill 2290, which designates January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month a major step in statewide awareness and action. My goal isn’t just to rescue help and support survivors it’s to help them recover, rebuild, and rise.
Human trafficking is a global crisis that often goes unseen. What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about it, and what do you wish more people understood?
Many think trafficking always looks like kidnapping. In reality, it often starts at home, in schools, or through someone the victim knows and trusts. It’s about coercion, control, and vulnerability especially among communities of color. In Dallas, Texas my hometown Black girls make up a disproportionate number of trafficking victims, and many are never reported or recovered. Similarly, in Washington, D.C., over 90% of missing girls are Black. That’s not coincidence that’s systemic neglect.
We must change how we see and respond to these stories. Black girls are not “fast” they’re being failed by the system, and they deserve our protection, visibility, and advocacy.
Can you share a powerful story of impact—whether it’s a survivor’s journey, a moment of breakthrough, or a major milestone your organization has achieved?
One survivor came to us after surviving the unthinkable she had been stabbed 21 times while being trafficked. She lived. Not only did she survive, but she also testified against her trafficker, Daniel Settles, who is now serving 30 years in prison because of her courage.
Through our program, we provided her with safe housing, trauma-informed therapy, life skills training, and job readiness support. Today, she’s in college thriving, empowered, and determined to create a future beyond her past.
At Settles’ sentencing, she delivered a powerful victim impact statement, saying:
“You are a predator,” she wrote. “You are the type of man parents need to warn their daughters about.”
She also made it clear that her bravery wasn’t just for her. Her statement explained that her decision to testify and speak at sentencing was not only for herself, but also for the other women who were victims of Settles including those who don’t even realize they were victims.
She ended with the words that still give me chills:
“I am not a victim but a survivor.”
My heart was full knowing we helped her get to this point in life.
Stories like hers remind us: survivors aren’t just victims they’re warriors.
And we’ve seen it again and again more than 800 women and children served in just the past year, with over 22 successfully graduating from our program. We were also honored to be named a L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth recipient, recognizing the work we do and the lives being transformed every single day.
Fighting human trafficking can be emotionally and mentally exhausting. How do you stay motivated and take care of yourself, and what role does faith play while doing such difficult and necessary work?
My faith is my anchor. God carried me through my darkest days and now walks with me as I help others find their light. I also lean heavy into therapy, rest, travel, and time with family. I’ve learned that rest is resistance and it’s necessary for the long fight.
The survivor stories, the progress, and the legacy we’re building through our programs and things like Sarah’s Village to come that’s what fuels me. That and the belief that no matter what anyone has been through, it’s going to be OK.
What are some practical ways that everyday people mothers, business owners, students can help combat human trafficking in their own communities?
Start by educating yourself. Learn the red flags. Talk to your kids about consent and boundaries. Create safe spaces in your churches, schools, and salons and businesses. Support survivor-led organizations like ours—not just with donations, but by sharing our message.
While we serve and support all survivors, we are unapologetic in saying this: Black and Brown victims are often the most overlooked, underprotected, and underserved. They are reported less, believed less, and rescued less. That’s why we fight harder because equity in this work isn’t optional, it’s essential.
Black girls are often labeled “fast” instead of protected we have to shift that narrative. If you see something, say something. Your voice might save a life.
*5 Red Flags to Know:
- Rarely alone, always accompanied, or closely monitored
- Inconsistencies in their story—scripted or rehearsed responses
- Signs of physical abuse—bruises, burns, or scars they can’t explain
- Lack of control over documents—no access to their ID, money, or phone
- Sudden changes in behavior or appearance—especially in minors: drop in grades, expensive new items, withdrawal from loved ones
We need everyone students, parents, barbers, pastors, teachers, business owners this is a community issue, and we can’t fight it alone.
Support survivor-led work like ours.
Volunteer. Donate. Advocate.
We also need to reframe how we view Black girls.
When they go missing, the media must care. When they’re exploited, the courts must protect.And when they survive, we must help them thrive.
What role do businesses, media, and policymakers play in fighting this issue, and how can we hold them accountable for making real change?
Businesses can partner with us for job training and second-chance hiring. The media needs to shine the spotlight equally on Black and Brown victims not just when they fit a certain narrative. Policymakers must fund survivor services, support prevention education, and pass legislation like HB2290 that keeps this issue in the public eye.
Accountability starts with awareness and leads to action. Use your platform, your dollars, and your vote to push for justice and advocacy.
Looking ahead, what’s your vision for the future of your organization? How can people support your mission and be part of the movement?
Glad you asked.
We’re raising funds to build Sarah’s Village a long-term, healing-centered housing community for survivors and their children. This expansion to our housing programs will allow us to serve more victims and their children. We’re also expanding our trauma recovery and life stabilization program that offers more therapy sessions, mental health support, and critical wraparound services.
Here’s how you can be part of this life-changing work:
- Donate at www.igtbok.org
- Invite us to speak. Bring me in to train your corporation, your staff, your counselors, nurses, and doctors because this isn’t just information, it’s transformation. Together, we can save lives.
- Partner with us for job placements or safe housing opportunities
- Become a monthly supporter and walk alongside survivors on their journey to freedom
Together, we can turn pain into purpose and ensure no survivor ever walks alone again.
“Empower, Educate, Eradicate – Together, We Can End Human Trafficking.”
-Dr. Tonya Stafford
View more from Dr Stafford and her organization, It’s Going to Be Okay:
