We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katherine Givens a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Katherine, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

We all have a story, and as a creative, I have always believed in the power of storytelling. However, after experiencing and surviving such severe trauma, I could not fathom sharing it with anyone, and when I did, I dissociated pretty badly. Through conversation, I would share painful details of my experience as though I were talking about a fictional character. I would get the oohs and aahs from people, but no one truly understood the pain that I was carrying, and I started to feel depleted. That’s when I returned to my journal. Writing would make me feel better as I poured my emotions on paper without the sound effects of people pitying me or subconsciously labeling me as a victim. Writing gave me my power back – just me, my pen, and God. My first book was a result of that time in solitude and is by far one of my most meaningful projects.

In addition to the book, however, is the opportunity to serve and partner with people through the nonprofit I co-founded alongside my husband, Twelve 11 Partners. I don’t know if I would call it a project, but it is definitely the most meaningful mission I have ever committed to, where what I have learned from my experiences Is something that can help others. Twelve 11 Partners is a survivor-led nonprofit organization focused on supporting those who are overcoming human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation and bringing awareness and education to populations at risk. I like to think of it as my reason – I overcame all that trauma for such a time as this; it was for Twelve 11 and the people it serves. What makes me most excited, in addition to seeing people thrive, is seeing them share their stories their way. There are so many gifted people out there, and when barriers are removed, and access is given, we see so many writers, authors, designers, poets, speakers, and artists arise from their pain and creatively share their stories in a way that represents them as individuals. It is beautiful to see, and that is what makes Twelve 11 Partners so special to me – and not the organization, but the mission and its impact. The fusion between social justice and the arts makes Twelve 11 meaningful.

Katherine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve always been a writer, not professionally, but as a little girl, I could remember writing stories and books and acting out each character. It was my escape from whatever was going on in life. I was writing when I was happy, upset, sad, etc. I just loved it. When life got real, I experienced crazy abuse, heartache, and violence, including human trafficking. Writing was my calm, and it helped me get all that stuff out. It still does that for me. I never really dreamed about being a playwright, but the little journal I used to record some of my experiences became a book, and that book became a play. I am a wife, mother, author, playwright, non-profit founder, consultant, speaker, and writer who gets to write and help people for a living.

I am most proud of who I am in my faith in God. Things that were meant to kill me only increased my faith, and that’s what I want people to see when they see me – not my past trauma or the things I’ve overcome, but my faith in God. I am also happy to have overcome some of the residue caused by my past trauma—things like inferiority and shame. Now, I walk into rooms with my head up and not in an arrogant way but embracing my imperfectness without wearing the labels that come with that. I can say I’m proud to still be on this lifelong journey.

One thing I would tell the people I have the honor of walking alongside is to embrace the journey of self-discovery – it’s never-ending because we are ever-evolving beings. I am just now starting to nurture the writer in me because of self-doubt, believing my writing style is too different from others, or because I didn’t trust my gift enough to believe what it can do. I chased so many other things, trying to make money or tap into a more accepted career, that I almost lost my love for writing. So, it’s important to discover who you are before the world starts defining that for you. Today, I am a non-profit co-founder and all the things that come with that, but no matter where life takes me and no matter what assignments I feel led to engage in, from now on, the writer in me comes with me.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I first started sharing my personal experience with trafficking, I was so intimidated. I wasn’t prepared for the social discrimination, the pitiful looks, or the triggering feedback I would endure. I started sharing in hopes of helping people not to gig or become a public speaker, so I didn’t go through formal training or coaching – I just got up and did it. That was a mistake. I would arrive at an event or interview excited to encourage someone, but then I would leave exhausted and drained emotionally. Sharing didn’t feel good to me anymore; it started to hurt. That compelled me to return to my roots and tap into that little gifted writer in me. What would she do?

The first play was in response to the dilemma of wanting to share my truth but wanting to avoid being re-exploited by the media, uninformed interviewers, audiences, and curious community members. So, I wrote a full-length play that summarized my journey through human trafficking. The play was successful thanks to a fabulous director, actors, and crew members. It was a visual of adversity and redemption that unfolded on stage and left the audience captivated and more aware of the realities of what trafficking looks like for some. It was at that moment I unmuted my voice. I would no longer let others narrate how my experience should be told, but rather, I would share it my way with as much or as little detail as my connection to the memories can handle. And that’s my motto this very day when I share. I protect my heart and peace and encourage others to do the same.

When I started sharing, my wild past almost swallowed me up for the second time, but I came out on top. I credit that to God as well.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Knowing the beauty in creative storytelling and the healing that can come from it drives me on my creative journey. It is so powerful when an individual realizes they don’t have to share their personal experience through interviews or public speaking, but they can share through theater, film, or poetry. Most of the people I work with have some sort of creative niche and helping them tap into that is an honor.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.twelve11.org ; www.kathymcgibbon.com
• Instagram: @katgivens ; @twelve11partners
• Facebook: Katherine Givens
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathymcgibbongivens/
• Twitter: @11partners

Image Credits
– Darryl Howard Photography – Kash Photos