JACKSONVILLE, Arkansas — Several influential figures in the Jacksonville community came together for an event at the Jacksonville Police Department on Saturday.
The event was partially a back-to-school event with kids in attendance receiving school supplies, it was a chance to educate people about bullying in the community.
Those who attended were allowed to confront a sensitive issue with police officers, military, school officials, and even Mayor Jeff Elmore all in attendance.
"Some parents are actually raising bullies, and they don't really know it,” said event organizer Derotha McIntosh. “So it's to enlighten, improve, and inform the community, and to better the situation here in Jacksonville."
McIntosh has a special interest in the cause; she runs the “Say” McIntosh Stop the Violence organization in honor of the political activist and her late husband.
The event itself was in honor of Willie J. Anderson, a Stop the Violence board member who helped plan the event before his passing earlier this year.
McIntosh also helped set up the event, getting people involved who also believe in the cause, like Commander Tony Gordon, who delivered a speech on the importance of taking school seriously.
"Being a good student in school and understanding that bullying doesn't determine their future,” Gordon said. “They can overcome that, as we saw today."
He was referencing the example of Montez Hardaway, another speaker at the event. Hardaway is only 18 years old, but already has a job with the Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
However, things weren't always easy for him growing up.
"I have been through mental abuse,” Hardaway said. “Sexual abuse at a young age, and I never had a support system. I was bullied when I was a child, got jumped by 11 kids."
But he persevered and spoke Saturday, because he wants kids to be able to do what he did and overcome.
"The greatest achievement in life is actually proving a negative person wrong by proving your positive self right,” Hardaway said. “And so when people talk down on you, or they try to put you down, be able to prove them wrong and be able to show them that you can do it."
The event also featured two JPD officers, Raymond Jones and Jeffrey Tillman, speaking on signs of bullying, how to deal with it, and how it can even be punishable by law.
Jacksonville Middle School Principal Kenneth Miller also spoke about conduct in the classroom and how he raises his own children to be leaders.
The final speaker was Jarius McCray, a Jacksonville High School student.
McIntosh said she was excited to have been able to contribute to such an event, and hopes to hold more in the future.
“As we go forward,” McIntosh said, “We look forward to planning more events and giving information and inviting others in on what we're trying to get accomplished.”