Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Ellis. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Jasmine Ellis, Founder and CEO of the Dock Ellis Foundation Inc with Hjordis Ellis, widow Co-Founder, and Tanya Frazier CSO. founded The Dock Ellis Foundation in honor of my father, Dock P. Ellis, Jr. He was an African American Major League Baseball Pitcher from 1968 through 1970. He pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, and New York Mets. Well known for his no-hitter, five National League Eastern Division titles, and winning the World Series in 1971, we are reminded of his courage, and how he notably transcended racial prejudice and resistance as an African American Major League Baseball player in that time. Dock’s legacy lives on through the work of the Dock Ellis Foundation, whose mission is to advocate and assist minority missing persons and victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
We are the voice for those who can’t speak: the missing, the beaten, the trafficked. It is our chosen responsibility to bring them home safely. We also provide resources to the minority victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking that are neglected and poorly served by the justice system.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Dock Ellis Foundation has worked diligently to bring awareness to the work we do! Building trust with the community that we will stand with them every step of the way, proving to law enforcement that we are here to respect their investigation and confidentiality, and bringing in partners to help make the process seamless. When a family member contacts us, we stand with each client every step of the way. We provide basic needs to the families, due to economic hardship we assist with temporary emergency shelter, relocation assistance, food, and clothing through our Pink Heart funds. On a higher end we provide an aggressive awareness campaign on social media and news outlets. We partner with search and rescue, Ohio Special Response Team (OSRT), and coordinate with law enforcement.
The biggest obstacle has been funding, Dock Ellis Foundation is a volunteer run organization currently using our own funds to help families that are in need. The minority community is being devastated by the number of women and children missing. We dedicate everything we can to continue our mission.
Black women account for less than 15% of the U.S. population, but more than one-third of all missing women. Black women also face a disproportionately high risk of being killed at the hands of a man. According to the FBI, at least four Black women were murdered per day in 2020. When it comes to human trafficking, Black women are at increased risk here as well. Black women make up 40% of people who have survived sex trafficking. Black youth comprise 51% of all prostitution arrests for those under age 18—more than any other racial group.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Dock Ellis Foundation Inc.?
During Black History Month, we recognize black leaders and those who have made great accomplishments but what about minority missing persons? We are the voice for those who can’t speak: the missing, the beaten, the trafficked. It is our chosen responsibility to bring them home safely. We also provide resources to the minority victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking that are neglected and poorly served by the justice system.
Today, over 500 victims Nationwide have benefited from survivor care services provided by Dock Ellis Foundation which includes, but are not limited to: skills development, education/employment assistance, crisis intervention, safety planning, application assistance, appointment accompaniment, and court/trial preparation/assistance and Funeral Arrangements.
Recently Dock Ellis Foundation received National attention after assisting with bringing media attention to multiple major cases involving minorities. On December 25th Dock Ellis Foundation received a call from the family of 16-year-old Tayanna Manuel’s family, as soon as the foundation got the call early Christmas morning, we got to work putting out a flyer with her face on it, bringing attention to the missing youth in the media and opening our tip line. After multiple calls and emails to law enforcement demanding an Amber Alert, the system failed unfortunately which could have saved the teen’s life. Amber Alerts are usually issued when a child goes missing, but that wasn’t the case for Tayanna Manuel, who was found dead near a dumpster outside of an apartment complex.
The Dock Ellis Foundation works on getting answers for families of color when their loved ones go missing. In this case, we were in communication with the Police Department, but the outcome was heartbreaking.
Jasmine Lee, CEO of the Dock Ellis Foundation, sees these types of cases often. She says often children of color get overlooked when they are reported missing. Dock Ellis Foundation is helping the Family of Cierra Chapman who was last seen in the Autumn Woods Dr. area of Trotwood around 4:30 a.m. on December 27, 2022. She was dropping off some personal items to her ex-boyfriend. January 15th, 2023, Dock Ellis Foundation, OSRT, and over 60 volunteers and officers coordinated a search from west Dayton to Germantown and Middletown, including Ohio State Highway Patrol’s aviation unit. Cierra Chapman’s is still missing. Our work will continue until Cierra Chapman is found.
We are currently seeking assistance from the press, businesses, and other organizations to help spread the word about our services and missing minorities while observing Black History Month. In honor of Dock’s jersey number, we are running a mini-capital campaign of $17k for the month of February.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Testimonial from Cierra Chapman’s Family.
Cierra has been missing since Dec. 26, 2022. The family has been working with the Dock Ellis Foundation and the Dayton Police in hope of finding her. We have searched in Trotwood, Dayton, and Middletown areas. We have also passed out flyers in those areas. On Jan. 6 her truck was found in Middletown with all her belongings in it, but no signs of Cierra. The family is hoping to get more information about her disappearance and is asking the community to help us out. Cierra was a loving mother, daughter, sister, niece, and friend. She was someone who would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. She was very outspoken and loved to cook. Cierra was a goofy person and fun to hang around. Her family really misses her, and we want her to come home. Her son needs her, and we do too. The family would like to thank the Dock Ellis Foundation and the Dayton Police for all they have done.
Contact Info:
- Website: dockellisfoundation.
com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ dockellisfoundation/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ JusticeNowBringThemHome/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
DockEllis_ - Youtube commercial https://youtu.be/_
n7CXG0fCG4
