Jesse Leon talks with Carolyn Hightower about his trafficking experience and his journey to finding his voice and sense of belonging

Description

Jesse Leon, author of I'm Not Broken: A Memoir, talks with Carolyn Hightower, Deputy Director of the Office on Trafficking in Persons at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about the importance of sharing his story and the response from his family, community, and peers. They discuss Jesse’s fear of rejection by his community and the peer support critical for his healing. Jesse shares his passion for engaging survivors through diversity, equity, inclusion, and, most importantly, belonging. He addresses how cultural norms impacted his decisions to seek support and services as well as system failures and insensitivities. Jesse concludes the conversation by sharing that he hopes his story is inspirational and helps those with similar journeys know they are worthy.

Participants

• Jesse Leon
  
• Carolyn Hightower
  

Interview By

• Carolyn Hightower