The world renown Harlem Globetrotters are stopping through Memphis to promote their anti-bullying campaign Wednesday, January 8th.
The event was originally scheduled to take place Tuesday, January 7th at the Ed Rice Community Center in Frayser. However, due to severe weather conditions and airline flight cancellations the event was postponed. The new location will be at Hickory Ridge Elementary (3980 Hickory Hill Road).
In collaboration with Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich, Globetrotter player Buckets Blakes is scheduled to present the “ABCs of Bullying Prevention: Action, Bravery and Compassion” to youth at the school. The event will begin at 1:30 p.m.
The gathering will be catered to kids ages six-12 years old; lessons on the importance of maintaining school attendance, avoiding gang involvement and making wise decisions in life overall will be provided.
In late 2013, the Tennessee Department of Education released its first-ever “Bullying and Harassment Compliance Report.” According to the report, 7,555 cases of bullying were reported during the 2012-13 school year in the state. Approximately 73 percent of those cases, or 5,478, were confirmed as bullying cases after investigation.
Memphis and Shelby County school districts (before the merger) accounted for more than 2,000 of the state’s reported cases, according to Dr. Randy McPherson of Shelby County Schools (SCS). Manager of behavior and student leadership for SCS, McPherson said 2,247 of the state’s reported incidents took place in the Bluff City. Memphis City Schools (MCS) reported 1,982 bullying incidents. However, SCS only reported 265 bullying incidents over the 2012-13 school year.
Weirich and the Globetrotters are partners in the “National Campaign to Stop Violence” and the “Do The Write Thing Challenge.”
As part of their 2014 “Fans Rule” World Tour, the Globetrotters will stop by the FedExForum on Saturday, January 11th to entertain the entire family. The show will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $22 and are available for purchase at harlemglobetrotters.com.
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