Breaking the Silence:

The Dark Untold Story of Male Human Trafficking Survivors

This talk will highlight the often-overlooked reality of male survivors of human trafficking and the urgent need for dedicated services and safe housing. Kwami will briefly share his personal story, discuss the founding of Teleios Path, and outline practical ways communities can help identify, support, and restore hope to male survivors. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of this hidden crisis and practical ideas for creating meaningful local solutions.

Kwami Adoboe-Herrera is a nationally recognized anti-human trafficking leader, survivor, and advocate. He serves as the Founder, CEO, and Board Member of Teleios Path, a Northeast Ohio–based nonprofit dedicated to supporting male survivors of human trafficking.

Originally from Togo, West Africa, Kwami is a survivor of labor trafficking who endured six years of forced labor in the United States before the intervention of his elementary school teacher helped him escape his trafficker. His lived experience has fueled his lifelong commitment to supporting survivors, particularly adult male victims, through trauma-informed care, advocacy, and comprehensive rehabilitation services.

Kwami formerly served as a presidentially appointed member of the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, where he advised on federal anti-trafficking policies and worked to amplify survivor voices at the national level. He also serves on the boards of Not For Sale: One Step At A Time and The Soap Project, and is actively involved in public speaking, advocacy, and peer mentorship initiatives both locally and nationally.

Kwami holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Walsh University and currently serves as a teacher at Mater Dei Academy. Kwami is married to his lovely wife Margaret, and together they have three beautiful children, all under the age of five!