Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daniel Walker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Daniel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The Mahalia Project LLC is a social justice impact brand, focused on anti-human trafficking through media, fashion, and events. Yet, 10 years ago, it was vastly different. At that time, I was a Media Director for a church and Freelancer Video Editor for various non-profits in Indiana. Having been tasked with the visual campaign and marketing development for an anti-human trafficking fundraiser, I quickly found myself immersed the statistics and real stories of survivors who had endured an unimaginable horror. We were partnered with an international rescue organization entitled ‘Destiny Rescue’, and through the combined efforts of our church community and this organization, a adequate dollar figure was raised to fund the rescue of one child out of human trafficking; a little boy named Luis in Africa.
Following this incredible feat, I knew I wanted to do more. The visual campaign, and the event, had moved not only our considerably large congregation, but our city; I longed to use my media, networking, and visual storytelling skills to bring further impact on the issue of human trafficking. At that time, there was a potential opening for a videographer, with Destiny Rescue in Thailand. I was excited to apply and thought nothing could shift that desire or plan. Yet, shortly after, one of the leads on the Destiny Rescue team communicated a truth that would change not only the trajectory of my media business and plans, but my life. The truth was clear, but deeply complex. With chilling conviction, he told me “the predominance of men, flying over to buy young girls for sex, are Westernized American males.” Further conversations and research would expose that it was not just any American males; celebrities, politicians, attorneys, pastors, and more.
Out of this, I held a question: what is happening in America that leads to the young woman being exploited, and the young man becoming an exploiter? No 8 year old boy or girl dreams of winding up in a brothel or entering in a dark world of exploitation. Amidst the various and multifaceted elements of familial trauma, peer pressure, and other cognitive / social impacts in a young person’s development, there existed a glaring and even belligerent voice of influence that, reflecting on my own development, I knew was one of the most prominent factors: media.
Having studied Media, Advertisement / Marketing, coupled with gender narratives and persuasion, it became clear to me quickly; if we wished to shift and prevent the culture of exploitation, we needed to target the messages being delivered. To fight human trafficking, on US soil, at a preventative level, would require the unwelcome breach of Hollywood culture, pornography, legal sex industries, social media, familial trauma, and community division. We would need to build a brand of relevance, through media excellence, deep community investment, and position our messages and conversations in the most sought after and focused areas for young people; music, media, fashion, sexuality, and social life. We were standing at the brink of an approach that was a entirely unprecedented, and the notion was both terrifying and invigorating.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Daniel V, and I am The Founder / Vision Director of The Mahalia Project LLC. Having worked professionally in various capacities as a Media Director, Visual Storyteller, and Freelance Video Editor, I longed to use my skills to impact issues of social justice and human rights. in 2013, I learned of the atrocities of human trafficking, specially in the US, and began an awareness campaign to revolutionize media and cultural narratives. Having studied Media, Advertisement / Marketing, coupled with gender narratives and persuasion, it became clear to me quickly; if we wished to shift and prevent the culture of exploitation, we needed to target the messages being delivered. To fight human trafficking, on US soil, at a preventative level, would require the unwelcome breach of Hollywood culture, pornography, legal sex industries, social media, familial trauma, and community division. We would need to build a brand of relevance, through media excellence, deep community investment, and position our messages and conversations in the most sought after and focused areas for young people; music, media, fashion, sexuality, and social life.
Thus, The Mahalia Project LLC was birthed.
Our work is both unprecedented and vital as we exist in a very needed niche; prevention. Whilst the common considered approaches of anti-human trafficking are legislative and rescue based, and mostly exist as a response to the issue having already occurred, we have built our foundation on a simple but challenging question: how do we stop people from becoming the exploited, or the exploiter? By intersecting with young adults in the trends, cultures, and lifestyles they engage with, we would promote education, community, resources, and experiences that build confidence, self-expression, and entrepreneurial skills in the most at risk age groups.
I am most proud of our excellence, and the clear impact of it. Everything we create is executed with the highest consideration of cinematic, emotional, and honest intention; and we have seen it move those we seek to help. On numerous occasions, whether through social media, interview, or in person, we have received immense gratitude, community support, professional collaborations, and recognitions, not only because we do stand for such an important issue, but dually, for how we stand for it.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
In the summer of 2023, The Mahalia Project team and collaborative partners underwent a series of personal and professional difficulties. I experienced a massive client loss in my external video business, as well as a break up, which shook my life and threatened to push back campaigns and a large anti-human trafficking event we had slated for August of 2023, The Red Light Gala (named after the infamous red light districts prevalent in human trafficking). Less than a week before the event, we had a venue cancellation and needed to shift our entire operation to a new venue, announce a new address, reconnect and reschedule with vendors / sponsors, follow up on pre-booked tickets, and replan our itinerary, which included a fashion show.
The hours before the show were absolute chaos. The venue we shifted to had a last minute power and AC issue, and the situation required quick adaptation and planning to resolve the issues. Despite the overall chaos, our team of models, designers, media, show coordinators, etc. all took diligently to supporting one another and executing their individual assignments with passion and excellence. Ultimately, The Red Light Gala turned out to be our highest attended and most well received event.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
This completely shifted my mindset on the approach to the eradication of exploitation as it related to both genders. The solution was not to “save” the vulnerable woman from the “monstrous” man; it was to empower both to different life choices and lifestyles. Whether victim or victimizer, research and intersections in the field of anti-trafficking and exploitation made it clear that healing, regardless or whether it seemed fair or just, was needed for both women and men. Such a notion was and has been met with resistance, and for understandable reason. Why consider healing for men who have made heinous decisions, or for young men who one day could? Ultimately, albeit an intensely emotional issue, the factual and objective understanding must be considered: if you want to end an industry that exploits women, then you must impact and change the men who are purchasing. Should we rescue thousands of women and penalize thousands of men, the sex industry will continue to find more of the same, unless the core of why exploitation exists is targeted and changed.
Contact Info:
- Website: mahaliaproject.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/mahaliaproject
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/mahaliaproject
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@themahaliaproject
- Other: TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@themahaliaproject
Image Credits
R&R Amore Productions – @randramoreproductions – Anthony J Photography Daniel Vincent – @bravery.still.exists