October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. As Global Ambassadors of STOMP Out Bullying™, Angel and Chanelle will visit high schools in tour markets to share their stories on bullying issues, and to offer encouraging words to help young kids cope with peer pressure. As a teenager, Chanelle Haynes was bullied. “To be bullied was one of the worst experiences of my teen years,” say Chanelle. “As a pastor’s daughter from a very religious household, kids would say really hurtful things to me. This caused me to become withdrawn and unhappy. I would do anything to avoid them. To be laughed at and disrespected was my normal. I would actually get sick on Sunday evening knowing that I had to go to school and face those same bullies. They talked about the way I dressed. I simply didn’t fit in—so one day I decided, ‘I don’t want to fit in.’ Eventually, my parents took me out of that school. I learned the power of removing myself from the problem and placing myself in a space where I can thrive. Since then I have taken that approach in life.”
STOMP Out Bullying™ plays an important role in bullying and cyberbullying prevention, education and awareness. One out of four kids are bullied and 43% of teens, 97% of middle schoolers and 47% of older teens 18-24 are cyberbullied. As many as 160,000 students across the country stay home on any given day because they’re afraid of being bullied.
Ross Ellis, founder and Chief Executive Officer of STOMP Out Bullying™ and bullying Prevention expert said, “Some people think that bullying is ‘just a fact of life’ or ‘a right of passage’ and they don’t take it seriously…until someone they know is hurt by bullying—or worse—they knew someone who took their life. Too many of our youths have taken their lives and we cannot allow one more kid or teen to attempt or commit suicide. We have to make them understand that nothing is worth taking their lives. Not even this insidious cruelty that is so painful. Parents, schools and communities must work to make the victims more resilient, change the behavior of the aggressors and instill upon other students to intervene.”
STOMP Out Bullying™ focuses on reducing and preventing bullying, cyberbullying, sexting and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism and hatred, decreasing school absenteeism, and deterring violence in schools, online and in communities across the country. It teaches effective solutions on how to respond to all forms of bullying; as well as educating kids and teens in school and online, providing help for those in need and at risk of suicide, raising awareness and helping to establish peer mentoring programs in schools.
Angel and Chanelle Deluxe CD marks the duo’s seventh recording to date and the group’s transition from a trio to a duo. This month, the ladies were nominated for a 2011 Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel Performance for their single, “Heaven Hear My Heart.” They were included in the same category with Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, CeCe Winans, and James Fortune featuring Shawn McLemore. The 2011 Soul Train Music Awards will air in November on Viacom’s BET and Centric Networks. On Saturday, October 29, the ladies will host and perform on the the 27th Annual Stellar Awards Nominations and Concert along with comedian, Akintunde in Nashville, TN. Angel & Chanelle debuted at #1 on both Billboard’s Top Gospel Album chart and the Top Christian/Gospel Album chart. The CD also entered at #2 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop Album chart, #5 on the Independent chart and #19 on the Billboard 200. Their new single, “Bring Your Praise,” is produced by Fred “Uncle Freddie” Jerkins III and Imani “IZy” Pressley. This song will get the praise party going with its urban contemporary beats, hip-hop vibe and hard hitting message about praising God.
Angel and Chanelle will soon be bringing their inspirational message to theater-going audiences. They have been cast in roles in Dream with Your Eyes Open, a play written by actress, writer and producer Toussaint Duchess. The play, which is about a journey of survival and redemption for a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, has special meaning for the two gospel artists, who grew-up in that city and whose families and friends were affected by the disaster. The theatrical production opens in Augusta, GA on Thursday, November 3 at Bell Auditorium. For further details, please visit: www.musicworldent.com.