One Mississippi State University student has begun advocating for human trafficking awareness after serving as a movie extra during the making of Barbie.
Brandon native Bébé Rayborn, a junior currently studying communication and philosophy at MSU, has announced plans to use her experience in education and modeling to help give those around the world a voice.
“I hope to use any skill set I possess to advocate for those that do not have a voice, especially those victims caught up in human trafficking,” Rayborn said. “People caught in trafficking are voiceless. I hope to use the voice I am so fortunate to have to speak for those that are silenced. I hope this is the one way I can show gratitude for the life I have—to speak for and advocate for the people who have had that option taken from them.”
Rayborn explained that her modeling experience with international companies such as Maybelline, Elle UL, Giorgio Armani, and Burberry has helped in building her platform for more awareness of what matters to her.
She has joined No Longer Bound at MSU — a charity organization that gives students the opportunity to join the fight against human trafficking — and has previously served on the Mississippi Human Trafficking Counsel Outreach and Awareness subcommittee.
“I am gaining much knowledge on the anti-trafficking task force and how to advocate in a way to bring awareness to specific problems in our state. These methods often include encouraging people to speak out if they see something unusual and to say something about it, which is also why it is important to know signs of trafficking,” Rayborn stated. “These organizations continue to allow me to be educated about human trafficking not only locally, but also nationally. I hope to continue to highlight the devastating plague of human trafficking while advocating for some relief and resolution for these victims through anti-trafficking efforts.”
The National Human Trafficking Hotline is 1-888-373-7888 and any indication of trafficking should be reported.
