End Slavery Tennessee is now AncoraTN.

End Slavery Tennessee was founded and named to sound the alarm that human trafficking exists and is happening in our very own backyard. In the past decade, we’ve grown from raising awareness to providing survivors a place of healing and restoration.

Today, we better understand the complexity of trauma, the nuance of exploitation, and the impact of language. We’ve evolved, so it was time for our name to evolve as well. To better reflect who we are and the hope we believe in...

We look forward as
AncoraTN
(an•COR•ah | /ˈan.ko.ra/ Tennessee)
Latin for anchor — meaning refuge, support, and hope.

Inspired by survivor experiences and voices, the name AncoraTN reflects the stability needed amidst the storm of trauma.  AncoraTN is the foundation for planting seeds and nourishing the dream of a new future. As we embark on the next decade of work, we journey with survivors to achieve their dreams and relentlessly pursue our dream—which always has been, and continues to be, the eradication of human trafficking in Tennessee.

Read more about why we chose our new name and how survivors guided our rebrand journey.

Have questions about this change? We can answer them.

  • In 2012, End Slavery Tennessee (ESTN) was incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit. At the time, Derri Smith, our founder, directed the international anti-trafficking work for International Teams (now One Collective). Each global team focused was called End Slavery (location). Wanting to address human trafficking in her own neighborhood, Derri founded our organization and naturally called it “End Slavery Tennessee.” ESTN was founded as an awareness agency and quickly began serving survivors. Through ten years of providing aftercare support and listening to survivors, we recognized there were opportunities that would come with changing our name.

  • • We wanted a name that is hopeful.

    • We wanted a name that provides anonymity:

    - Often survivors and care coordinators are out in the community. Saying “End Slavery Tennessee” could unintentionally expose a survivor, especially as campus and community-based services expand.

    - We wanted a name that empowers a survivor to seek services.

    - When meeting with a survivor in crisis, it is common that a survivor does not see that they have been trafficked or exploited. A name like AncoraTN allows a survivor to engage with us without immediately identifying themselves as a survivor of trafficking.

    • We wanted a name that is inclusive to the whole community.

    - We have found the word “slavery” does not match the language survivors use to describe their experience and has been a deterrent for some survivors, employees, supporters, and volunteers. We want to be a place and where all survivors, employees, supporters, and community members feel welcome and represented.

    • We wanted to honor our roots and prioritize our focus on counter-trafficking efforts in Tennessee—the reason we kept “TN” in our name.

  • • Several anti-trafficking organizations have created standards around imagery and language to decrease myths of how trafficking takes place and better ensure the accuracy and inclusivity of various survivor experiences. We celebrate this commitment to growth that acknowledges the importance of language and its impact on our shared understandings, responses, and actions.

  • No, not at all. Our commitment to survivor care has been and continues to be our top priority. We will continue to grow and evolve to provide the best services as survivors heal and become independent.

  • Our tax ID number will remain the same: 45-4955577

    All donations made to ESTN and AncoraTN are attached to this same number.

  • • Our logo is comprised of:

    - An anchor honors “Ancora” and stability for survivors.

    - Greenery symbolizes new growth and honors the healing nature of the Survivor Restoration Campus.

    - A greenhouse that provides shelter and protection from the elements. It’s also a nod to the letter “A” for Ancora.

  • If you haven’t already, follow our social media accounts and reshare our posts with your friends, family and network! You can also subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on ways to support or become involved.

  • We’d love to hear from you. You can email Carlee Smith at csmith@ancoratn.org.