The life story of Harold D’Souza shines like a RAINBOW of hope, resilience, and transformation—a beacon of inspiration wherever he travels across the globe. A survivor of labor trafficking, Harold has risen to become a globally recognized Survivor Ambassador, igniting change and empowering lives. On May 23, 2025, Harold D’Souza was invited as a distinguished guest to the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (NURFC) in Cincinnati, Ohio—an institution built on the enduring legacy of freedom, justice, and human dignity.
“We stand on a foundation of freedom,” shared President and COO Woodrow Keown, Jr. of the NURFC. “It reaches deep into this free soil and through the generations. Where the flicker of a candle once beckoned freedom seekers, the blaze of a flame continues to guide them.” That flame now burns in the heart of Harold D’Souza.
The event was masterfully emceed by Curtis Fuller, a beloved Cincinnati news broadcaster and community leader. Curtis John Fuller is an on-air personality with WLWT-TV and was named “Cincinnati’s Favorite TV Personality” by the Broadcast Hall of Fame. His presence added depth and dignity to the powerful gathering.
Harold’s inspiring story is now permanently featured on the third floor of the Freedom Center in the “Shine a Light” exhibit—a monumental milestone not just for Harold, but for all survivors of modern slavery. His journey from victim to visionary is not only documented in the museum, but also being captured for an upcoming documentary film filmed at the NURFC—a project that will carry his story into classrooms, conferences, and communities worldwide.
The Freedom Center serves as a bridge between past and present, linking the courageous stories of the Underground Railroad to the ongoing global fight against human trafficking today. On May 2, 2024, the NURFC hosted the inaugural “Triumph Over Trafficking” Conference, in partnership with Eyes Open International (EOI)—an organization co-founded by Harold and his wife, Dancy D’Souza. The conference, hosted by Woodrow Keown, Jr., spotlighted the resilience of survivors and the collective responsibility to end trafficking.
During the anniversary event, Harold connected with several key leaders and changemakers, including Dr. Yvan Demosthenes, Board Director of EOI. The celebration also honored North Star recipients Francie & John Pepper and Carole & Edwin Rigaud. John Pepper, retired CEO of Procter & Gamble and former Chairman of the Board of The Walt Disney Company, was also a CEO of the NURFC and instrumental in its founding. Their presence highlighted the profound legacy of leadership supporting the cause of inclusive freedom.
Harold announced a powerful new initiative: the launch of “ASSISI Free Bread House” in Majevu Village, Tanzania, beginning June 1, 2025. This project, led by Harold and Dancy D’Souza, will serve 100 people with free meals every day, feeding not just bodies but souls—restoring dignity through daily acts of love and humanity.
In recognition of his tireless work, Harold was recently appointed as International Advisory Board and Executive Committee Member for the Human Social Care Foundation—an organization founded by Dr. Faizan Ahmed Azizi and granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations ECOSOC on July 24, 2024.
Harold and Dancy D’Souza also hold the distinction of being the first couple appointed as Advisory Council Ambassadors at the Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Office—a testament to their unwavering advocacy and impact.
Harold D’Souza believes: “Failure is the path to success,” and lives by the words, “Teamwork makes the dream work.”
His life is not just a comeback—it is a call to action. From forced labor to international leadership, Harold D’Souza stands today as a living light, guiding others from the shadows into freedom.