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2025 Polaris Star Awards

Fri January 24, 2025 UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Orlando, FL 32819 US

About the Event

Event Description

The Polaris Star Award ceremony is an annual event that brings together individuals, organizations, businesses and abolitionists who are dedicated to combating human trafficking. This prestigious award ceremony, hosted by United Abolitionists, Inc., and the University of Central Florida Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery honors and recognizes the outstanding efforts and initiatives made in the fight against modern-day slavery and exploitation.

The Polaris Star Award was named after the Polaris Star, also known as the North Star, and is what slaves used to find their way north to freedom along the Underground Railroad.  This award is given to the modern-day abolitionists in our communities who are leading the fight against human trafficking in their profession and/or sphere of influence.  Since 2011, 105 individuals have received one of our various awards.

Event Agenda

6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Polaris Star Awards Ceremony

7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Refreshments, Entertainment & Food Variety

8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Auction 4 Freedom

 

This year's ceremony will be hosted at the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management. The awards will be held in the Darden Auditorium. The reception will be held in the beautiful Rosen College Courtyard and the Disney Dining Room.

All food and beverages are provided with the price of the ticket.

 
For Individual Tickets, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/polaris-star-awards-tickets-1015601881567
 
For Table Tickets & Sponsorships, use the link below:

2024 Polaris Star Awardees

Education:

  • Community - National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
  • Corporate Partner - Hilton Hotels & Resorts
  • International Educator - The Mauvano Project 
  • Non-Profit Educator - My Life, My Choice

Agents for Change:

  • Law Enforcement - Chad Goodling, Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation
  • Legal -Bradley J. Edwards - Managing Partner at Edwards Pottinger LLC
  • Major Events - Tim Tebow, Tim Tebow Foundation
  • Media - Benji Nolot, Exodus Cry

Survivor Champions:

  • Individual Advocate - Olivia Littleton, One More Child
  • International Non-Profit -Atlas Free
  • Regional Non-Profit - Phoenix Dream Center
  • Wellbeing Services - One More Child

Sportlight Award:

  • Inspiration - Rebecca Bender

Catalyst Award:

  • Kim Brewster

 

To nominate someone for these incredible awards, please visit this link: https://ucf.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Dm1ESZryfAK5GS

Nomination Categories:

Education: Nominees for this category are community organizations, companies, or non-profit leaders who provide anti-trafficking education & training programs to communities, locally regionally, or globally.

Agents for Change: Nominees for this category are those who use their platform to initiate change on a wider scale, including legislation, technology, detection, and spreading the key messages to a broader audience.

Survivor Champions: Nominees for this category are open to non-profits, wellbeing services, or individual advocates who champion survivors.

Spotlight Award: Nominees for the Spotlight Award should be – an individual spotlight on a survivor – a hero who pushes barriers to lead the way in helping other survivors.

Tickets / Sponsorships

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Location

UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management
9907 Universal Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819 US

UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management
9907 Universal Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819 US

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