Today we’d like to introduce you to Kebreyana Jones.
Kebreyana, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey in the sex trafficking world began at just the tender age of 17… this became my life up until 21 years old when I was arrested and sent to prison for Conspiracy to the same crime in which I was a victim of. Now starting out I have a felony hanging over my head and what’s worse the label of SEX OFFENDER. I am put in the same category as a rapist or predator. Society has only recently begun to acknowledge that not all participants involved in sex trafficking are perpetrators, but many are victims. However, many young women like myself have fallen through the cracks of the justice system. No one realizes the Mental and Physical abuse a young woman goes through in that life.
Not only am I subject to public humiliation as someone who was involved in sex trafficking, but also who is now a sex offender. As if this isn’t enough baggage to carry around, I am also a black woman with emotional and physical scars due to this trauma.
Growing up, my dream was to become a Veterinarian because of my passion for animals. Now even with a certification in Veterinarian assisting, which I worked so hard for during my time incarcerated, I am turned away at job interviews because of my background. I already have three strikes going into an interview: 1). Being a BLACK WOMAN, 2). HAVING A FELONY CONVICTION, 3). A SEX OFFENDER LABEL.
I’ve realized the only way I may have a fighting chance in this world is to start my own business. I’ve survived so many other traumas, so I know that I am capable. Since I love animals, I’ve decided to open a pet supply business, I sell the usual collars, leashes, etc. however I am specializing in products to cut bathing and pet maintenance time in half so that owners can have more fun time with their furry friends.
Some of my products include PET BATH BOMBS and I eventually plan to expand my business and have a physical location so that I can employ other minority women with backgrounds that Society has thrown away and other young women who have been on my same journey and need a helping hand.
While in prison in Tallahassee, Florida, I advocated for victims of trafficking who were being criminalized. Through my efforts and with the help of SWOP BEHIND BARS a sex workers outreach program, I was able to get connected to the right people. Eventually, a Human Trafficking Clemency Initiative was formed. With the help of Kate Mogulescu, Three law schools including The Brooklyn School Of Law and The Baltimore School Of Law partnered together and made clinics so that they can help prepare clemency petitions for women serving time in federal prison who are victims of trafficking and convicted of the same crime.
Has it been a smooth road?
NO this has not. Growing up, I was a victim of incest in which I never told my family until later on in life. I have been a victim of rape in which prosecution failed to serve me justice. Then on top of that, I was trafficked and sent to prison along with my trafficker… This has been a while ordeal. For one getting out of prison. I had to register as a sex offender. It was hard to find a job even though I have the education back it up. I am automatically judged just based on a Label. Without people fully understanding and knowing my story. What people don’t realize is most traffickers are people victims know and trust.
They, in turn, are brought into the lifestyle and with it comes consequences whether it’s by law enforcement or just simply impacting the victim’s life due to trauma they experienced in their trafficking period. Based on everything I’ve went through I want to bring awareness to more rehabilitation rather than criminalization. Not many resources are given to help a young woman come up from the numerous times she’s been put down. The system fails survivors and pushes them into the cycle of poverty which is what drove me to start my own business because I did not want to become a statistic.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Poshie Pets story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in products to cut your pets hygiene ritual in half. I have Organic Bath bombs hand made with simple natural ingredients. So you don’t have to worry about the shampoos that can get messy. Simply drop the bomb in and bathe your pet. I have one for Flea and tick. A calming bath bomb with lavender. A coat smoothing bomb with oatmeal and honey. A deodorizing bomb infused with baking soda and joba joba oil to help pets odor down.
My 2nd favorite product is the LED collars. They light up so when walking your pet at night. They can never get lost. And it’s a fun, spunky gadget to have. You will definitely be the center of attention walking your dog in the neighborhood. Also, I have Pet coronavirus masks to protect your pet when out in public.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I plan to open a physical location so that I can employ women who are trafficking survivors, domestic abuse survivors, released from prison and have a record, the women who Society throws away and stigmatize I want to give them a 2nd chance and show them someone believes in them, that they matter, and that change is possible.
Pricing:
- Bath Bombs $8.99
- LED Collars starting at $12.99
- Corona Virus pet Masks starting at $10.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.poshiepets.com
- Phone: 850.264.2691
- Email: poshiepets@gmail.com
- Instagram: @poshiepets
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/poshiepet/
- Twitter: @poshiepets
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