John Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the FBI has chosen Ms. Aimee Johnson as the 2015 Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) recipient for North Carolina. Ms. Johnson is the founder and director of Rise Up Ministries. Rise Up Ministries is a faith-based, non-profit organization aimed at combating human trafficking.

Ms. Johnson is a member of the Charlotte Metropolitan Human Trafficking Task Force, which is composed of state and local law enforcement agencies, state and local organizations, non-profit organizations, and volunteers. The task force was organized to combat human trafficking, raise awareness of the crime, and provide resources to victims.

Ms. Johnson not only gives direct assistance to victims by providing housing, clothing, and counseling, she has made considerable contributions in establishing youth and educational programs for human trafficking victims. She provides training to volunteers who provide hotline services and for those who run shelters that will house victims of human trafficking.

Since 1990—through the Director’s Leadership Community Awards (DCLA)—the FBI has publicly recognized the achievements of individuals and organizations who have gone above and beyond the call to service by making extraordinary contributions to their communities in the areas of terrorism, cyber, drug, gang, or violence prevention and education.

Ms. Johnson will receive the award this spring in Washington, D.C. from the Director of the FBI, James Comey.

Learn more about human trafficking and crimes against children: www.fbi.gov.