Girl on mission to end bullying ‘won’t stop until children’s voices are heard’
A-12-year-old girl is on a crusade to fight bullying.
She's not only reaching out to those who've been victims, but also to those who are doing the bullying.
From the moment Kiree wakes up to when she walks into school, she works on her passion.
"If she is not moving and shaking things up, she feels like she is not productive. She is involved in a lot,” Kiree’s mother, Shonda Moore, said. “I don't have to write her speeches, never have. I don't have to tell her what to say. She is just that person. She is that person."
This pint-size girl has a gigantic voice and she uses it to have tough conversations with children and adults across Cincinnati about bullying and violence.
"Children have voices too and we need to be heard. A lot of things that are happening to kids today are because children are not being listened to. Children are being bullies. Children are bullies,’ Kiree said.
She created an organization called Small Voices Count.
“I was 10 years old at the time. I came up with the idea at 9. At first, we were trying to get it together. Then, at 10 years old, we actually got it moving,” Kiree said.
“She said, ‘We all have something to say and adults need to listen to us,’" Moore said.
Bullying in Cincinnati made national headlines after 8-year-old Gabriel Taye took his own life.
His parents claim he was bullied shortly before his suicide.
“At that time, I was, like, you know what? I am definitely not going to stop now, because kids are doing these things,” Kiree said.
The organization meets with students about possible solutions to the problem of bullying. It also creating an annual fashion show highlighting children with and without disabilities.
Small Voices Count has each student-model walk across the stage alongside police officers and firefighters to build relationships with people who can help as bully-fighting allies.
“I thought to myself, 'Well, kids are scared too. Not only adults are upset because children are losing their lives. What about my friends? What if they are being bullied and they have no one to talk to,” Kiree said. "If you are being bullied, tell somebody. Don't keep it a secret. Because that is how a lot of things in society are happening.”
“I’m proud of her. I am proud. She is walking in her purpose,” Moore said.
Crimestoppers recently honored Kiree's work with Small Voices Count and gave her a standing ovation.
Kiree is excited to host her third annual fashion show with students and first responders.
Last year, 75 children acted as models.