Carissa Black

Carissa Phelps, born in Fresno, California, in 1976, is an American author, attorney, and advocate dedicated to helping sexually exploited runaway children and homeless youth. Her challenging early life, marked by parental divorce, a large blended family, abuse, neglect, and substance abuse, led her to become a runaway. Despite facing significant hardships, including exploitation and legal troubles, she pursued education, earning an MBA and a JD from UCLA. Phelps is the founder of Runaway Girl, Inc., an organization that supports homeless youth and provides training on addressing homelessness and human trafficking. Her personal journey was documented in the award-winning film "Carissa" and her own book, "Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Streets, One Helping Hand at a Time."

Born Carissa Liana Phelps in Fresno, California, on September 12, 1976, her early life was characterized by significant instability. Following her parents' divorce when she was five, she moved with her mother and siblings to Southern California. The subsequent remarriage and blending of families resulted in a household with eleven children, creating an environment of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Despite these challenges, Phelps demonstrated early academic promise, winning a scholastic math award in fifth grade. However, her home life led to acting out, including petty crimes and running away. A warning from her sister about potential abuse by their stepfather prompted a move to live with their father and an older brother, but this also proved to be an unstable environment. Returning to her mother's home, she struggled to adapt to junior high, facing financial and social difficulties that contributed to defiance and acting out.

Phelps' journey through adolescence involved significant trauma, including sexual exploitation, substance abuse, and addiction. Despite these profound difficulties, she demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination. She taught herself mathematics and worked to overcome her challenges, eventually pursuing higher education. Her academic achievements culminated in earning both an MBA and a JD degree from UCLA. After passing the California State Bar in July 2008, she established a professional career as an attorney. Her experiences also fueled a passion for advocacy, leading her to establish Runaway Girl, Inc., an organization focused on assisting runaway and homeless youth and combating human trafficking.

Carissa Phelps is widely recognized for her advocacy work on behalf of vulnerable youth. She founded Runaway Girl, Inc., an organization dedicated to supporting runaway and homeless young people and providing training to other organizations on how to effectively address homelessness and human trafficking. Her personal story gained significant public attention through the award-winning documentary "Carissa," directed by David Sauvage, which chronicled her experiences as a runaway child. The film, executive produced by Davis Guggenheim and Jamie McCourt, brought her past struggles and her subsequent journey of recovery and advocacy to a wider audience. In 2012, her life story was further shared through her book, "Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Streets, One Helping Hand at a Time."