# Derek Ellerman

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American social entrepreneur

Derek Ellerman Derek Ellerman testifying before Congress Education Cognitive Neuroscience, Sc.B. Alma mater Brown University Known for Co-founder of Polaris Project Title Member of the Board Awards Ashoka Fellow; John Hope Award for Community Service

**Derek Ellerman** (born June 27, 1978) is an [American](/source/Americans) social entrepreneur. He was a co-founder of [Polaris Project](/source/Polaris_Project), a [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.)-based nonprofit organization that combats [human trafficking](/source/Human_trafficking) and [modern slavery](/source/Modern_slavery). In 2004, he was selected as a Fellow by [Ashoka](/source/Ashoka_(non-profit_organization)).[1] Ellerman is the co-publisher of the intersectional feminist website Everyday Feminism.[2]

## Educational background

Derek Ellerman attended [Brown University](/source/Brown_University), graduating in 2002, with a [Bachelor of Science](/source/Bachelor_of_Science) in [Cognitive Neuroscience](/source/Cognitive_Neuroscience).[3]

## Professional background

While an undergraduate student at Brown University, Ellerman established the Center for Police and Community (CPAC), an organization that addressed issues of [police misconduct](/source/Police_misconduct) in [Providence, Rhode Island](/source/Providence%2C_Rhode_Island). At CPAC, Ellerman served as the Executive Director and worked to support individual victims of police abuse. He assisted in successfully advocating for the creation of the first civilian review board for law enforcement in the state of Rhode Island.[1][3]

In 2002, during his senior year at Brown, Ellerman co-founded [Polaris Project](/source/Polaris_Project) with [Katherine Chon](/source/Katherine_Chon) after reading an article in a local paper about a fake massage business, the conditions of which were close to slavery.[4] Located in the United States, Polaris Project works to address and combat all forms of [human trafficking](/source/Human_trafficking), while providing programs and services to help all victims throughout the country.

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ashoka.org_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ashoka.org_1-1) ["Derek Ellerman | Ashoka - Innovators for the Public"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120206222335/http://www.ashoka.org/node/3148). Ashoka. Archived from [the original](http://www.ashoka.org/node/3148) on 2012-02-06. Retrieved 2012-11-14.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["About Derek Ellerman"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141219091445/http://everydayfeminism.com/about-ef/about-derek-ellerman/). *everydayfeminism.com*. Everyday Feminism. Archived from [the original](http://everydayfeminism.com/about-ef/about-derek-ellerman/) on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ReferenceA_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ReferenceA_3-1) ["*Brown Alumni Magazine*: "Against Their Will""](https://web.archive.org/web/20070927201624/http://www.brownalumnimagazine.com/january/february-2006/against-their-will.html). Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-24.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_bot:_original_URL_status_unknown))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["This Just In | SLAVE LABOR"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121120124028/http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/this_just_in/documents/02537755.htm). Bostonphoenix.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/this_just_in/documents/02537755.htm) on 2012-11-20. Retrieved 2012-11-14.

## External links

- [Congressional Testimony, 2004](https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192432/http://www.ellerman.info/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=29)

- [Article in the Washingtonian Magazine](https://washingtonian.com/2005/11/01/x-rated-dcs-underground-sex-industry/)

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