Cartoon Network and Popular TikTok Content Creators Come Together to Combat Bullying for the Award-Winning Campaign, "Stop Bullying: Speak Up"

Cartoon Network announced today a series of videos to combat bullying through its award-winning pro-social campaign, Stop Bullying: Speak Up. As part of its longstanding commitment to address bullying and celebrate unequivocal inclusion, Cartoon Network has created “We Speak Up” to activate online communities to raise their voices against bullying, acknowledge tendencies in themselves, share their own experiences, and create a safer space for fans. Aligned with the network’s brand position, Redraw Your World, which was developed to give kids the confidence to be who they are, five diverse content creators have been selected to participate in the “We Speak Up” initiative, kicking off today, Tuesday, March 1.

“Stop Bullying: Speak Up and Redraw Your World, are rooted in the foundation that all kids should embrace their unique selves, feel empowered to make impactful change, and speak up without fear,” said Jill King, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Partnerships, WarnerMedia Kids & Family. “This amazing group of TikTok creators was selected for their shared commitment to inclusion and acceptance and we’re inspired by their authentic voices that encourage and entertain millions of followers.”

Cartoon Network collaborated with the Anti-Defamation League, a leader in anti-bias education, to help inform the “We Speak Up” campaign and provide expert resources to participating TikTokers. The five creators featured include: Charlie Curtis Beard, Nick Cho “Your Korean Dad,” Justyn Gee, Johnny Ringer, and Davante Wilson. “We Speak Up” aims to challenge fans to consider how they can redraw their worlds to be more inclusive and accepting and stop bullying before it starts.

"It is so important to help young people learn how to be an ally when others are targeted by bias or bullying. Speaking up like these TikTokers have done makes a huge difference in reducing bias and creating a better and more inclusive world,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. “We commend Cartoon Network for its longstanding commitment to address bullying and hate and foster inclusion and equality.”

The videos feature each creator imparting positive messages in their own unique style. Los Angeles-based rap artist, Charlie Curtis Beard, sings about having the confidence to be yourself; San Francisco-based creator Nick Cho, known as “Your Korean Dad,” encourages his followers to break the cycle of bullying; makeup content creator Justyn Gee discusses his personal experience with bullying while applying a Cartoon Network themed palette to his eyes; skateboarder Johnny Ringer talks about kindness, acceptance, and respect for anyone trying something new, while showing off some sweet moves; and creator Davante Wilson, who entertains his followers with uplifting, positive vibes, explains why it’s important to speak up when kids see something is not right.




Launched in 2010, Stop Bullying: Speak Up empowers kids to speak up safely and effectively in the face of bullying, while helping them develop greater kindness, caring, and empathy. Recent partners include: Raising Good Gamers and The Cyberbullying Research Center, as well as PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.

Kelsey Comes to a Personal Discovery in All-New Episode of Cartoon Network's "Craig of the Creek"

Craig of the Creek season four premiered on Cartoon Network Monday, Jan. 17. As part of this premiere block, the episode “Fire & Ice” centered on Kelsey, who while writing a story for the Creek book club, comes to the realization that she may have feelings for one of her female friends, Stacks.  When the others in the club point out that the characters closely resemble Kelsey and Stacks, Kelsey discovers that the story has turned out to be more personal than she realized.

 

Season four finds Craig, JP, and Kelsey returning to the creek after the legendary Capture-the-Flag war. The kids of the Creek are making new friends and exploring what the other side of the creek has to offer. 

Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Join Cartoon Network’s “I Speak Up” Call-to-Action Against Bullying

Recognizing bullying as a health, educational and legal issue that affects millions of kids and families each year, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan have joined Cartoon Network’s recently announced “I Speak Up” call-to-action asking one million people to upload and share “I Speak Up” mobile videos to help fight bullying. The pro-active fall campaign serves as a focal point to CARTOON NETWORK’S SPEAK UP WEEK (Sept. 29-Oct. 3), the latest phase of its award-winning “Stop Bullying: Speak Up” initiative, which leads into National Bullying Prevention Month.

Both officials have shared their personal videos at www.StopBullyingSpeakUp.com and are using the hashtag #ISpeakUp to encourage others to unite with them in supporting this important effort. The goal is to collect one million user-generated videos that unite the voices of kids, parents, educators, celebrities and government officials all saying “I Speak Up,” demonstrating that through combined efforts toward a united cause, speaking up is one of the most effective ways to help bring a bullying situation to an end.

Select videos that are uploaded to www.Stop BullyingSpeakUp.com will become part of new campaign spots to appear on Cartoon Network, its digital platforms and Boomerang throughout October. Participants are also encouraged to share their videos on their own social media platforms using #ISpeakUp to help spread the word.

“Bullying and harassment can have devastating effects on kids of all ages,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “That’s why, alongside our partners at the Department of Education, the Justice Department is striving to reduce abusive behavior against and among students of every grade level. We’re committed to promoting safe and inclusive learning environments for all of America’s young people. And I’m proud to join Cartoon Network in calling on every student, parent, and educator to pitch in, and do their part, to speak up against bullying.”