Brushes of Freedom, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to helping human trafficking survivors through the arts, is set to host its inaugural event, “Rhythms of Freedom,” on Jan. 29 (during Human Trafficking Awareness Month).
Taking place at The Metropolitan Club in Alpharetta, “Rhythms of Freedom” is a Bollywood dance drama that features performances from several local schools, including Shiv’s Institute of Dance, Garima Dance Academy, and Balli’s Dance Studio.
According to Brushes of Freedom, the performances utilize Bollywood dance to address the issue of human trafficking by telling stories that highlight “the strength of survivors and the power of coming together as a community.”
The event will support Tapestri Inc. and Wellspring Living, two Georgia-based nonprofits that provide essential resources for survivors of human trafficking, with all proceeds from ticket sales going directly to these organizations.
“This event is not just a celebration of performing arts or dance but a call to action,” said Parvi Anand, a 16-year-old high school student at The Lovett School and founder/chief executive officer of Brushes of Freedom. “Human trafficking is modern-day slavery, a reality that is often silenced by stigma and taboos in our society. Yet, as young people, we have the power to break the silence, challenge the stigma, and make real change.”
Founded in September 2024, Brushes of Freedom provides human trafficking survivors with tools revolving around “financial independence and emotional healing” through offerings like “visual arts classes, portfolio development, and safe studio spaces.”
By combining art and advocacy, the nonprofit aims to inspire action against human trafficking, a global issue that affects an estimated 49.6 million people worldwide, according to the International Labour Organization.
“Through events like ‘Rhythms of Freedom,’ we hope to inspire our community to come together, raise awareness, and support survivors as they heal and rebuild their lives,” said Anand.
Tickets for “Rhythms of Freedom” are $50 and are available for purchase through Eventbrite. Guests also have the option to Venmo or PayPal ticket payments by providing their names and the number of attendees on the Brushes of Freedom website.
