The Humanity Project is expanding our acclaimed programs — again. This time we’re finding a new way to bring key portions of our Humanity Club and Antibullying Through The Arts programs to entire schools… for a full academic year. It’s simple, but effective. And the schools using our new approach are loving it so far, as are their kids. (Contact us if you’d like to bring this to your school, at no cost.)
We have created a brief routine for schoolwide morning announcements. A counselor or administrator or teacher takes the microphone and asks the children in each classroom to follow along: First a series of self-worth exercises in the form of repetitions using the words, “I am somebody.” This phrase was written as part of a poem in the early 1940s by Rev. William Holmes Borders, who used it to promote civil rights in Atlanta. It was later taken up by broader elements of the civil rights movement, famously by Jesse Jackson. Those three important words have been part of the opening moments of every Humanity Club meeting for many years now. Our Antibullying Through The Arts program incorporates them as well.
A portion of our Humanity Project morning announcements
Next the school’s morning announcer takes the students through a short deep breathing exercise, to help them focus and relax and prepare for the day ahead. This deep breathing also is borrowed from our Humanity Club and Antibullying Through The Arts sessions. We’ve seen the positive effects of both the deep breathing and the affirmations when done repeatedly over time. We are sure they will improve feelings of well-being and self-worth for many of the students who are introduced to these exercises in this 2025-26 school year… and so reduce bullying by encouraging kids to relax and feel good about themselves in school.
We’re grateful to the schools and educators helping us deliver these valuable lessons to our kids. We also must thank the Our Fund Foundation and the Community Foundation of Broward, whose funding has made it possible for us to implement this program expansion. Together, we form an effective team working to make a difference in the lives of as many kids as possible.
