Episode Overview

Title: How a Student-Led Movement Sparked Global Change at Atlanta International School
Podcast: We Are For Good Podcast – The Podcast for Nonprofits
Guests: Veronica McDaniel (Teacher, Atlanta International School, Executive Director at Street Grace International Student Initiatives) & Alice Abreu (Student Leader)
Release Date: November 12, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode spotlights how a student-initiated group at Atlanta International School, “AIS Against Human Trafficking,” has inspired global awareness and action against human trafficking. Teacher-leader Veronica McDaniel and student leader Alice Abreu discuss building youth-driven movements, the transformative power of listening to young people, leveraging digital storytelling for change, and cultivating intergenerational partnerships within the nonprofit sector.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Origins and Evolution of AIS Against Human Trafficking

• Veronica explains the serendipitous beginnings:
  • Originated in 2009 when two ninth-grade students, Shamir and Dave, approached Veronica about Atlanta’s status as a trafficking hub.
  • “These two, two boys, 14 year old boys, started AIS Against Human Trafficking.” (Veronica McDaniel, 05:10)
• Early projects included:
  • Community content, panel discussions, a fashion show for ethical consumption, and virtual global exhibits with Artworks for Freedom.
  • CNN International became a partner, covering youth-led anti-trafficking work (06:04).
• Creation and Global Impact:
  • Developed the MyFreedomDay toolkit for schools worldwide with CNN’s Freedom Project.
  • “We’ve had over 140 countries involved each year, thousands of kids around the world.” (Veronica, 08:31)
  • Partnered with Delta Airlines, Tony’s Chocolonely, Tony Blair Initiatives, and Street Grace.
• Program Growth:
  • The group’s work is now part of a nonprofit (Street Grace), focusing on student empowerment, prevention, and global youth leadership.
  • Youth-led curriculum, playbooks, and the Youth Leadership Academy were student-developed.

2. Youth Empowerment and Intergenerational Collaboration

• Alice’s Background and Motivation:
  • Grew up in Brazil, Costa Rica, and the US; “Once you see the world, you can’t really go back.” (Alice, 11:44)
  • AIS inspired her to use her privilege and voice for positive change; plans to continue activism after graduation.
• Deepening Impact:
  • Noted a turning point when CNN anchor Linda Kincain went live from their school:
    • “That was for me absolutely the moment where I realized this was insane...the scale of the impact suddenly felt really personal and tangible.” (Alice, 15:20)
  • Student-led events addressed modern slavery and child trafficking, sparking real-world conversations and reflection within the school.
• Movement Building Insight:
  • “When awareness starts within your own community... it can grow outward and become something so powerful and contagious.” (Alice, 16:41)
• Teacher-Student Dynamic:
  • Veronica celebrates handing power and ownership to students:
    • “Why are we not listening to the kids who this is affecting? The best way... is through the kids’ plans, the kids’ words, the kids’ actions.” (Veronica, 20:14)

3. Gen Z Approaches to Storytelling and Advocacy

• Listening as the Core:
  • Consistent emphasis on listening to youth voices (Veronica, 18:34; Alice, 33:34; 37:30).
  • Referenced the Lundy Model of Participation—Voice, Space, Audience, and Influence (Veronica, 18:41):
    • “Kids want to be listened to... make sure you are demanding these four things because you need to be heard.” (Veronica, 18:41)
• Content Creation Masterclass:
  • Alice spearheaded a seven-month social media content campaign (23:59–25:57):
    • Adapted playbook material to social media, using Canva and spreadsheets for consistency.
    • Aimed for content that was “digestible and less intimidating to people my age” (Alice, 24:19).
  • Strategy focused on sustainable content creation and peer-to-peer reach.
• Amplifying Ripple Effects:
  • Inspired other schools in D.C. and Atlanta to create their own anti-trafficking groups:
    • “Nothing compares to inspiring other people to actually take action. That’s the most rewarding.” (Alice, 26:57)

4. Relationships, Empathy, and Concluding Wisdom

• Relationship Building:
  • Veronica highlights Gen Z’s adeptness at forming and sustaining digital and offline relationships (29:20–31:44).
  • “They really go for it... if they notice their strengths and go for it.” (Veronica, 31:27)
• Philanthropy and Generosity Stories:
  • Alice shared the TEDx talk of a peer who lost her hearing—“Real change starts with empathy and truly listening.” (Alice, 33:34)
  • Veronica recounted her daughter’s hoodie fundraiser for eating disorder awareness:
    • “It was just one of the coolest, most organic, authentic things I’ve seen outside of my anti-human-trafficking work lately.” (Veronica, 36:47)
• Empowering Youth for Systemic Impact:
  • “A confident child is a protected child, and that’s really universal.” (Veronica, 39:23)
  • The collective call for adults to “build and maintain relationships while involving kids” for lasting change.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Veronica McDaniel:

  • “These two, two boys, 14-year-old boys, started AIS Against Human Trafficking.” (05:10)
  • “We’ve certainly had over 140 countries involved each year, thousands of kids around the world.” (08:31)
  • “I just ask these kids to run stuff and I just want to listen to them.” (18:41)
  • “Why are we not listening to the kids who this is affecting?” (20:14)
  • “A confident child is a protected child, and that’s really universal.” (39:23)

• Alice Abreu:

  • “Once you see the world, you can’t really go back.” (11:44)
  • “The scale of the impact suddenly felt really personal and tangible...I realized this was insane.” (15:20)
  • “When awareness starts within your own community...it can grow outward and become something so powerful and contagious.” (16:41)
  • “Nothing compares to inspiring other people to actually take action.” (26:57)
  • “Real change starts with empathy and truly listening, because you can’t get anywhere without that.” (33:34)
  • “You need to listen...because you can’t create anything truly impactful...if you don’t listen to what they need.” (37:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Early Connections & Origins of the Movement: [03:23]–[09:30]
• Student Perspective & Global Citizenship: [11:38]–[13:21]
• Realizing the Movement’s Global Scale: [15:06]–[17:17]
• The Core Principle: Listening to Youth: [18:32]–[22:36]
• Content Creation Process Explained: [23:59]–[25:57]
• Measuring Ripple Effects: [26:57]–[28:03]
• Gen Z’s Relationship Building: [29:20]–[31:44]
• Stories of Generosity & Empathy: [32:24]–[36:47]
• One Good Thing (Final Advice): [37:30]–[39:23]
• Where to Connect & Join/AIs Info: [39:59]–[42:12]

How to Get Involved

• AIS Against Human Trafficking Instagram: @aisht (39:59)
• Street Grace Student Initiatives Instagram: @streetgrace_studentinitiatives (40:27)
• Connect on LinkedIn: Alice Abreu & Veronica McDaniel (40:16; 40:27)
• Support the Movement and Access Resources: streetgrace.org (42:12)

Takeaway Messages

• Youth have unique perspectives and untapped energy—adults must listen, provide space, and give real agency.
• Small community actions can ignite global change, especially when combined with powerful storytelling and peer-led advocacy.
• Sustainable digital advocacy requires simplicity, consistency, and meeting young people where they are—in both content and platform.
• Empathy and authentic relationships sustain movements and ensure they adapt and persevere across generations.