Daktronics Jess Bern named IN OUR BACKYARD Hero of the Year
IN OUR BACKYARD (IOB) is a survivor-led national organization dedicated to the fight against sex and labor trafficking. They recognized Daktronics marketing strategist Jess Bern as their 2022 Hero of the Year. We invite you to join the effort through digital content.
9/6/2023
Categories: Business & Community
Jess Bern, Daktronics marketing strategist, received recognition last fall in Bend, Oregon, as IN OUR BACKYARD’s (IOB) Hero of the Year. The award, which Bern received during IOB’s 2022 Freedom Festival fundraising event, recognizes grassroots heroes whose exemplary efforts positively impact society in the fight against human trafficking.
IN OUR BACKYARD has been fighting human trafficking for more than a decade, empowering communities to prevent this atrocity and creating access to freedom for victims.
IOB focuses on working with convenience stores and other businesses to reach as many people as possible. They help educate and train staff to identify trafficking situations and safely report them. IOB also provides Freedom Stickers containing National Human Trafficking hotline information to post in business restrooms.
Bringing the Right People Together
Cheryl Csiky, executive director of IOB, first reached out to Daktronics at the 2021 National Association of Convenience Stores convention. As she talked, Bern and other Daktronics employees recognized that Daktronics could provide additional exposure by developing a free library of digital Freedom Sticker content for all digital display owners to use – with content developed by Daktronics professional digital artists.
Focusing on Super Bowl Weekend
IOB works with top law enforcement, local nonprofits, and government agencies leading up to the Super Bowl to engage the local host city in recovering missing children.
“The 2022 Super Bowl was an ideal time to activate the digital Freedom Sticker content to display owners. We reached out to Daktronics customers in that surrounding area,” explains Bern. “Lamar Advertising Company donated placement on a digital billboard, raising awareness to more than 220,000 drivers per day in the Los Angeles area. Following the event, Cheryl joined our podcast to share the results of their recovery efforts.”
Content was also made available and promoted to Daktronics digital display owners for the 2023 Super Bowl throughout the Glendale, Arizona area.
“In a time where the Sound of Freedom movie has captured many people’s attention, we can offer a way for people to get involved and help make a difference,” says Bern. “Any business with a digital display inside or outside can use the digital Freedom Sticker content at any time.”
Bern adds, “This work was a highlight of my year. It has been so fulfilling to link arms with IN OUR BACKYARD and leverage the power of digital signage to create awareness for human trafficking, I am grateful to meet several amazing and inspiring women and hear their survivor stories. It was truly a memorable experience that will stay with me.”
To learn how you can join the effort to end human trafficking, visit Get Involved - inourbackyard.org.
If you are interested in accessing free IOB Freedom Sticker content for your digital display, you can find it here.