Santa Monica, Ca – September 03, 2026 – The Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium at the Santa Monica Main Library was packed on Thursday, August 20, 2026, as author, filmmaker and humanitarian Daphna Edwards Ziman celebrated the launch of her novel, The Gray Zone, with an extraordinary gathering of friends,entertainment industry figures, advocates, families and community members.
Presented in collaboration with the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library and Barnes & Noble Santa Monica, the event quickly became much more than a traditional book launch.
It was an emotional, deeply personal, and ultimately uplifting evening that brought urgently needed attention to children who fall through the cracks of the foster care system, the exploitation of vulnerable women and children, and the ongoing fight against sex trafficking.
Among those attending were women and families whose lives have been directly affected by the issues being discussed, giving the evening an added level of emotion and meaning.
While there were powerful and emotional moments throughout the program, the prevailing feeling in the room was one of hope, empowerment, and action.
The program opened with remarks from Lu Plauzoles of the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library, who welcomed the capacity audience and introduced the evening’s celebration of Ziman and The Gray Zone.
The event was made possible through the tremendous support of the Santa Monica Public Library, the Friends organization, and Barnes & Noble Santa Monica. Erica Cuyugan, Director of Library Services for the Santa Monica Public Library; Jasmine Gutierrez, Friends Board Liaison; Estrella Cabral; and the Barnes &Noble Santa Monica team were instrumental in creating a welcoming and memorable evening for Ziman and her guests.
Internationally acclaimed singer and actress Maria Conchita Alonso, a longtime close friend of Ziman,delivered a moving personal introduction.
Alonso spoke about their years of friendship, as well as their earlier collaboration on the film Footsteps,written and directed by Ziman and starring Alonso, which confronted the difficult issue of child abuse.
She reflected on Ziman’s longstanding willingness to address subjects that others may be reluctant to discuss and on her commitment to using her voice and creative work to protect vulnerable women and children.
Alonso’s heartfelt remarks set the tone for an evening that was intimate, candid, and deeply moving.
Ziman then spoke directly to the audience about The Gray Zone and the very real issues behind the fictional suspense novel.
At its heart, The Gray Zone explores what can happen when society and the systems created to protect children fail them, particularly children within the foster care system. Ziman expressed her hope that the book will not only entertain readers, but also encourage them to think, ask questions, and see women and children who too often remain invisible.
The program took on an additional perspective when attorney Wallace Pate addressed the audience,bringing the themes of justice and advocacy directly into the evening.
Pate spoke about the seriousness of the issues facing vulnerable women and children, as well as the importance of advocacy, accountability and having people willing to stand up for those who may not be able to stand up for themselves.
The evening then transitioned into a dynamic and revealing conversation between Ziman and moderator Miguel A. Núñez Jr., the acclaimed actor, writer, producer, and director whose career has spanned more than four decades.
Known for roles including Juwanna Mann and The Family Business, Núñez guided Ziman through an engaging discussion about the novel, its characters, its inspiration, and the real-world circumstances that shaped its themes.
Their longtime friendship and natural chemistry created a remarkably open exchange, allowing the audience to connect with both the story and the human realities behind issues that are too often discussed only through headlines and statistics.
Núñez’s questions gave Ziman the opportunity to speak not only as an author, but also as an advocate who has spent years bringing attention to the vulnerability of children, women and families who can become trapped within systems that fail to protect them.
The conversation brought greater visibility and humanity to a subject that is often difficult to discuss, and the audience responded with deep interest and emotion.
An audience question-and-answer session further demonstrated the impact of the evening as guests engaged directly with Ziman and the issues raised by The Gray Zone.
The packed auditorium included a remarkable cross-section of leaders and supporters from entertainment,advocacy, philanthropy, business and the arts, including Glynn Turman, Carolyn Hennesy, Jaime Monroy,Beverley Todd, Daphne Wayans, Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, Buster Akrey, Suzanne Hughes, Satie Gossett, Tommy Hicks, and many others.
Also in attendance were many members, friends, and supporters of Justice for Women International,including board member Timothy Gage, who came together to support Ziman and the organization’s continuing mission.
Their presence underscored one of the evening’s most important messages: meaningful change does not come from one person alone, but from a growing community of individuals willing to use their voices,resources, and influence to protect vulnerable women and children and help create lasting change.
As founder of Justice for Women International, Ziman has dedicated years to raising awareness about human trafficking, violence against women and the exploitation of vulnerable women and children.
That mission was felt throughout the auditorium. Rather than leaving overwhelmed by the magnitude of the issues discussed, many guests left energized by the possibility of becoming part of the solution.
Following the program, Barnes & Noble sold copies of The Gray Zone on-site as friends, fans and supporters gathered for the book signing. Ziman enthusiastically signed copies of her book, spent time speaking with attendees and happily posed for numerous photographs with guests throughout the evening.
Ziman was also interviewed by multiple media outlets covering the event, further expanding awareness of The Gray Zone and the important issues at the heart of the book.
By the conclusion of the evening, many attendees were asking how they could become involved, lend their voices, and support the continuing work of Ziman and Justice for Women International.
For many in attendance, the impact of the night extended far beyond the book itself. The evening demonstrated how awareness can lead to advocacy, conversation can inspire action, and individuals and communities can come together to help protect vulnerable women and children and ensure their experiences are seen and heard.
FROM A BOOK TO A CALL TO ACTION
The Gray Zone demonstrates the extraordinary ability of storytelling to bring audiences inside subjects that can otherwise feel distant or difficult to comprehend.
Ziman’s novel asks readers to look at the places society too often chooses not to see, and the response to the event demonstrated that many are ready not only to look, but also to act.
Attendees left wanting to learn more, participate, lend their voices, support the organization, and help expand awareness about sex trafficking, violence against women, vulnerable children and failures within the system intended to protect them.
To learn more about Justice for Women International, become involved and join the growing movement, visit JusticeForWomen Intl.org.
ABOUT THE GRAY ZONE
The Gray Zone is a fictional suspense novel by Daphna Edwards Ziman that explores what can happen when society and the systems created to protect children fail them, particularly vulnerable children within the foster care system. At its heart is a story about survival, justice and the women and children who too often fall through the cracks.
ABOUT DAPHNA EDWARDS ZIMAN
Daphna Edwards Ziman is an author, filmmaker, producer, and humanitarian who has spent decades advocating for vulnerable women and children. She is the founder of Justice for Women International, an organization committed to raising awareness and taking action against human trafficking, violence against women and the exploitation of women and children.
ABOUT JUSTICE FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL
Justice for Women International is dedicated to raising awareness and inspiring action against human trafficking, violence against women and the exploitation of vulnerable women and children. Through Advocacy, education, empowerment and community engagement, the organization works to give greater visibility and a stronger voice to those who are too often unseen and unheard.
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