BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

More From Forbes

Edit Story

Skateboard Company Declares War On Bullying

Following
This article is more than 9 years old.

Bullying in the United States has taken center stage in recent years with evidence coming to light that youth who are bullied experience increases in mental health issues, negative physical performance, poor school performance, depression, anxiety and changes to eating and sleeping patterns. In contrast, those who bully are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs, have criminal convictions and engage in other risky behaviors that endanger themselves.  Whether bullied or bullying, it is clear that youth who are impacted by these behaviors lack feelings of self worth and self-value that all youth should know.

Further, the National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice - whose name alone indicates the direct relationship between mental health and incarceration in youth – estimates that up to 70% of youth in the justice system have a diagnosable mental health disorder, and often no support at home. These disorders, lack of resources, low-income households and poor family structure can express themselves in many ways, from depression to violence to bullying.

These statistics are recognized and unacceptable to many researchers and policymakers, but not often acknowledged by the general public. Most people do not even know that October is – in addition to Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Anti-Bullying Month in the US. However, if an Atlanta-based skateboard company gets their way, not only will Anti-Bullying Month be moved to August or September when school begins, but the general public will become a lot more informed and active about bullying.  Although youth are the main focus of the company and campaign efforts, the owner Cornell Miller says, “Bullying isn’t just about kids, it’s about our schools, our communities, even corporate America and police brutality in adults. Bullying can occur anywhere.”

War*Drobe Declares A War On Bullying

Cornell is one-third of the all male Miller triplets who all have a penchant for entrepreneurship. After leaving Morehouse they all embarked on diverse careers, but continue to share a common goal of creating positive opportunities and messages for youth.

In an unlikely move, Mr. Miller used his background in marketing to create a skateboard company called War*Drobe, where creatively, board covers are interchangeable like cellphone covers.  Not only did he see this product as a way of giving kids choice about their skateboards, but a way to get families interacting with design and building. He also believes skateboarding is an art form and sport that can keep a lot of kids without strong family structure out of trouble.

But Cornell Miller took the company a different direction than most anticipated, creating a parallel nonprofit (501c3) portion called KharmasRedemption that partners with his main company KharmasRevenge (!KR!). Proceeds from !KR! go to KharmasRedemption to do everything from highlight and reward those who stand up to bullying to creating a cartoon with the company’s recognizable teddy bear to teach kids about bullying and mental health.

Boarding To Raising Awareness

While the skateboard team recognizes that interchangeable plates for a skateboard won’t stop bullying in its tracks, Mr. Miller contends,  “We believe we can get families talking again. Change is hard, but it’s never too late to use the resources we have and create positive opportunities in school, at home and at the park.”

Therefore, in addition to their next wave of promotional efforts for the skateboard covers at Art Basel in Miami in December, War*Drobe and !KR! will be kicking off the KharmasRedemption cartoon series and announcing their school and corporate education sessions. These sessions will target a wide range of individuals and organizations that can help to keep adolescents out of trouble – and the justice system – and help adults not only improve their situations, but those of the youth in their lives.

According to the founder, “States like Georgia are right to work states, so I’m going to make sure that the education we can share about bullying, mental health care and self worth are shared with everyone in a home; kids, mothers and fathers. Everyone has value and a right to not feel bullied.”

No matter the outreach strategy, creating a new platform to learn about, prevent and alter behaviors that can be harmful and lead to adverse outcomes like poor mental health or incarceration is necessary and welcome in any industry, especially one that appeals to so many youth.

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedInCheck out my website or some of my other work here