On April 21 at 6 p.m., a collaboration of schools in the Western New York area banded together to perform the message of “one love” for dignity. A 12-year-long initiative supporting and aiming to prevent all forms of bullying, organized by The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and UB’s Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention. They hold the performance in UB’s Center for the Arts every year.
As people started to trickle in, they were met with numerous non-profit tables about community physical and mental health, LGBTQ+ resources and cultural centers.
The first performance was a collaboration of middle school students. They performed spoken word poetry about the firsthand instances of bullying, how it affects their friends, confidence and self worth. Each one of the judges had the same reaction: very emotionally touched by the performance. The rest of the evening was filled with creativity, fun, and teamwork. Talent ranged from rock bands, dance and singing solos and group acapella performances.
Kate Hill, Project Hope’s crisis counselor from Spectrum Health and Human Services embodied the message of taking care of your mental health.
“Buffalo Hope is honored to be part of an event that promotes mental health inclusion and creativity,” said Hill.
They gave away magnets, notepads and stickers to those that passed by, and communicated to everyone about their free services. “I really appreciated the authenticity of the challenges that they all expressed through the song, and spoken awareness, things that we really go through.” Zuri Appleby, an event judge bassist for Doechii and Lizzo, said about the first place winners, Amherst High School’s performance, “It wasn't cookie cutter, let's be nice to each other.”
“Music has been part of our culture as humanity and I think it’s so important to have them in our schools,” said Nicholas Picolas, radio host of channel 98.5, who hosted the show.
It becomes increasingly essential to protect students, as they are the next generation, and have the potential to create impactful change.
Near the end of the atrium a raffle of prizes such as borderland tickets, signed guitars and gift baskets were possible for attendees to win. With all proceeds going to the cause of the evening, it was a successful, honorable and memorable night for all involved.
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Photo: Courtesy of UB Women's Rugby
