We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shavontana “Starr” Davis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shavontana “Starr”, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. The molestation began at seven, and that’s also when my mom became addicted to drugs. As a child, I experienced and witnessed things no child should do. I bounced around from house to house with different family members before living with my grandmother the summer before 6th grade and I lived with grandma until I graduated from high school.

As a child, the only person I confided in about the abuse was my best friend, Kia, and she was a child too. I asked Kia to keep my secret. She did. But some secrets aren’t meant to be kept. I vowed to Kia and myself that when we got older, I would help girls like me. As an adult that help extends to all youth girls and boys.

Fast forward to my graduation from law school, that’s when I finally told my mom, grandma, and godmother about the abuse. I began my legal career at the Fulton County Public Defender’s Office in Atlanta because I wanted to be a voice for people who had come from where I had come from.

I worked as a Public Defender for five years before transferring from Superior Court to Juvenile Court. One day I was speaking with a client discussing her case and I asked how she knew the man listed in the police report. Her reply was, “I know him from when I used to sell P, but I don’t do it anymore.” She was 15. That was it for me. I decided then it was time to go and make good on the vow I made as a child.

So, I resigned from the Public Defender’s Office. I started taking training in the anti-human trafficking space, sought mentorship from those who had been working tirelessly in this movement, spoke with survivors, tapped into my own lived experiences, and launched The Starr Institute, Inc. is affectionally known as TSI.

Everyone who knows me knows that I’m my granny’s baby. Grandma loved and supported me. She held me accountable, and I knew I could depend on her. She was my person. TSI is me being to young people what grandma was to me. TSI’s name originates from my belief that everyone has a light inside of them and if given the opportunity to shine, they will.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am the founder and executive director of TSI, a nonprofit organization. TSI’s mission is to educate, engage and empower youth and the community through awareness and prevention resources. We offer transformative skills in a safe space designed to positively develop and instill the confidence necessary for survivors to thrive.

We invite youth to take ownership of their safety using a series of lifestyle, awareness, and prevention workshops. TSI educates youth and the community by providing the tools and knowledge for them to recognize, respond to and disclose sexual abuse and exploitation. We normalize using the proper terms of body parts, identify healthy relationships, and set personal boundaries. We teach the importance of internet safety, goal setting, and self-esteem.

TSI engages youth by fostering an environment that is fun, culturally relevant, and age-appropriate. Teens need to feel a sense of belonging to feel good about who they are. TSI empowers youth by being a safe space designed to encourage them to provide insight, share their stories, and educate their peers about topics that are meaningful to them. Many organizations focus on healing after a traumatic experience. Our goal is to circumvent the abuse with education. We offer in-person and virtual workshops that are interactive, culturally relevant, age-appropriate, and fun. Each workshop is 50 minutes.

Participants receive custom Starr swag participants packs at the conclusion of the workshop series. We also have @mysafetystartswithme, a virtual hangout on Instagram where we invite young people to learn, grow and thrive with us in a safe place.

Since our incorporation in 2017, I have served as an empowerment speaker and now trainer. In December 2021, I published my first book, “The Abuse Algorithm: Lessons in Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse.” I am most proud of leaving my office to walk in my purpose and that five years later, I’m still here. I haven’t given up and I won’t, not on myself and not on young people.

What sets TSI apart from others is my lived experience as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and my professional experience as an attorney. My lens at approaching this issue and operating our organization stems from what I needed as a child and did not receive as well as knowing how to navigate the legal system. My accomplishments to heal and rise above the abuse make me a role model for young people who can relate to me as a Black woman. Representation matters! All too often, racist stereotypes slow or stop Black victims of child sexual abuse from coming forward for help. Research demonstrates this hesitancy to seek help exists for Black and other victims of color.

Most importantly, we are a family at TSI. I know all too well that family doesn’t require a blood connection. We aren’t just a place to receive services to push young people along through the system. We are establishing lifelong bonds of love and support.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

As a public defender, I represented adult and minor survivors of sexual abuse, assault, and trafficking. Many times, victims are arrested for drug and theft offenses which are a direct result of being abused. Because of my life experiences, I extend grace and empathy to everyone I encounter. Still, I had to earn the trust of my colleagues and survivors in the child abuse prevention/anti-human trafficking space.

This entire process has been one big learning curve. The first thing I did when I left the office back in 2017 was to enroll in The Institute, a reputable training program in the anti-human trafficking space. I became a sponge trying to learn as much as I could about this space as well as how to operate a non-profit organization. In the process, I’ve made significant community ties and developed meaningful relationships.

The most important transition has been within my family. TSI comes second only to my role as a wife and mother. Being an entrepreneur not only affects the visionary’s life, but everyone immediately connected to them. My husband, son, and daughter share in my struggles, disappointments, and triumphs. They sacrifice just as much as I do.

The toll of sleepless nights, time away from home, and missed moments are overwhelming at times. Nonetheless, they love and support me and want my vision to manifest as much as I do. My husband has been nothing short of amazing in completely supporting my decision and picking up the slack when we became a one-income household.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Moving into the child abuse prevention/anti-human trafficking space was a leap of faith. My skill set as an attorney—particularly my ability to develop a rapport with colleagues and clients and my unwavering integrity—helped tremendously with the transition. I’m transparent, eager to learn and a willing to help.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thestarrinstitute.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestarrinstitute_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheStarrInstitute
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shavontana-starr-davis-esq-63486a3/
• Other: https://www.shavontanastarrdavis.com/

Image Credits
Sonya Revell