AnnieCannons

Congratulations to our AC students for winning the Crowd's Favorite title at the recently concluded Girl Develop It Hackathon! We are incredibly proud of their app, Focus Fox—a productivity tool that champions mental well-being by blending personalized task management with real-time emotional support and stress-reduction techniques. Their commitment to innovation and fostering positive change truly shone through in this impressive project. Hackathons like this not only showcase their creativity but also help them build an impactful portfolio that could lead them to their dream job in tech. Let’s continue to support our students by providing them with the resources they need to succeed! #TechForGood #MentalWellbeing #SupportOurStudents #HackathonWinners?

We are beyond thrilled to welcome Dr. Kia Conerway to the AnnieCannons Board of Directors! Dr. Kia Conerway brings over 15 years of experience as a consultant, strategist, and leader for churches and nonprofits. Her passion for mission-driven causes aligns perfectly with our vision of empowering survivors. As a proud alumna of Clark Atlanta University, the University of Chicago, and Memphis Theological Seminary, Kia's extensive experience in ministry leadership has shaped the strategies of some of the largest churches in the south. Her expertise will undoubtedly help elevate our organization and amplify the impact we can have on the lives of those we serve. Recognized as one of the top leaders in Memphis and a Tennessee history maker, Dr. Conerway's leadership, wisdom, and heart for service will play a key role in helping us expand opportunities for survivors and guide them toward long-term empowerment and success. We look forward to all we will accomplish together under Dr. Conerway’s guidance!

We are excited to share that AnnieCannons has been selected as a returning Grantee with Arbor Rising! During our first year of partnership with Arbor Rising, we worked on our Theory of Change and we created an entirely new student data system. We created new tools that demonstrate the success of our model, and we worked to elevate all of our internal systems to meet the needs of our impact goals. And for this upcoming year, we are excited to work with the Arbor team on transforming our team, building future organizational designs, and aligning each of our roles with our mission-driven outcomes. We will be thinking about how we grow, how we strategize around our revenue, and how we build upon our clear foundation for our future. Thank you for your support and partnership!

Last month, our CEO, Laura Hackney, was invited to the Give to Women and Girls Day Event in New York City. The Women’s Philanthropy Institute partnered with Amplify Her Foundation and a coalition of over 25 partners to host a celebration at the New York Historical Society, to call attention to the gap in philanthropic support for women and girls — using this moment to galvanize awareness and funding. Along with other inspirational leaders, Laura was joined by Abby Fabiaschi from Empowered Network, Nuri Montilla from CareerCircle, and Elizabeth Stanley from Working For Women to discuss new ways to build coalitions for programs that support the advancement of women and gender-expansive youth. “Investing in women’s initiatives is fundamental to building a world that offers equal opportunities to all. It directly reflects the values of our society and organizations. The lack of investment in empowering women in every aspect of their lives is a duty we all have to assume from the top down, not with flattering words and commitments but with action and financial support.” — Diana Franco, Vice President, Women.NYC at the New York City Economic Development Corporation This event called attention to the funding gap, driving awareness, and urging action to support the empowerment of women and girls. Thank you for empowering women and girls everywhere!?

Today, on Veterans Day, we honor and express our deepest gratitude to all the brave individuals who have served our country. At AnnieCannons, we are especially proud to celebrate our veteran, Raven Collins, whose commitment and dedication extend far beyond her service. Raven brings her leadership and professional wisdom to our team every day, and her passion for serving survivors of trafficking inspires us all. Please join us in recognizing Raven and all veterans today. Their courage reminds us of the power we each have to create change, support one another, and build a future defined by compassion and empowerment. #VeteransDay #Gratitude #HonoringVeterans

Today is Election Day! This is your chance to make your voice heard and help shape the future. If you haven’t already, head out and cast your vote. Every vote counts, and your participation is important. Need help finding your polling place or making a voting plan? Visit iwillvote.com to make sure you're all set! Let's get out there and make a difference! #ElectionDay #YourVoteMatters #GoOutAndVote

Election Day is tomorrow, and it's crucial to know your voting rights! Your voice matters, and every vote counts. Make sure you're prepared by knowing where to vote, what ID you need, and your rights as a voter. This Tuesday, November 5, let’s show up, be informed, and make our voices heard! #ElectionDay #YourVoteMatters #VotingRights

We're excited to share the latest episode of RTI International's @Just Science podcast, featuring experts in the anti-trafficking field: Lenore Ntozake Schaffer, Ph.D. of Restore NYC, Tiffany McGee of Survivor Ventures, and our very own Laura Hackney of AnnieCannons! In this episode, they dive into the importance of economic empowerment for survivors of human trafficking. Through skill-building, job training, and career development, these programs are breaking down barriers that many survivors face in the workforce. They’re not just creating jobs; they’re creating long-term opportunities for economic mobility and independence. Listen as they discuss: - The barriers survivors encounter when trying to rebuild their lives - Practical solutions to empower survivors through education and skills - How economic empowerment programs are transforming lives by setting survivors on a path to success. This conversation is a powerful reminder of why economic empowerment is key to supporting survivors as they reclaim their futures. Tune in now to hear from the experts: https://lnkd.in/e5ja_9T9 #SurvivorEmpowerment #EndHumanTrafficking #EconomicMobility

Our AC students are beyond excited to attend the GitHub Universe, where AI and security are transforming the developer experience! This incredible event gives our students the opportunity to dive deep into the future of coding, where artificial intelligence and cutting-edge security shape the way developers work. As they explore new tools and approaches, they’re getting ready to take their skills to the next level. We can’t wait to see the inspiration and knowledge they bring back to our community! #GitHubUniverse #TechForGood #Cybersecurity

Today on National Mentoring Day, we celebrate the incredible bond between our students and their mentors. Watching them work side by side is truly inspiring. Together, they’re not just reaching goals. They’re uncovering potential, building confidence, and creating futures filled with promise. Every breakthrough, big or small, is a testament to the power of support and guidance. For many of our students, having a mentor means having someone who believes in their dreams and walks with them every step of the way. It's about more than skills; it's about heart, encouragement, and a shared journey toward brighter horizons. To all our mentors and supporters, you’re making dreams possible. Thank you for being there. #MentoringDay #MentorshipMatters #EmpowerSurvivors