On Friday, November 7th, Defeat the Label will host our annual Community Conversation on Bullying — a free, virtual event open to educators, parents, and community members. The event brings together leading voices in prevention, mental health, and online safety for a morning of awareness, empathy, and action.

This year’s featured speakers include:

• Tim and Tiana Woods, Founders of the Do It For James Foundation, presenting “Cyber Attacks and the Harm They Cause.” The Woods family turned personal tragedy into advocacy after losing their son James to sextortion-related cybercrime.


• David K. Frattare, Commander of the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, presenting “The Digital Divide: Safeguarding Children from the Internet’s Dark Side.”


• Mayim Meyers, LMSW-C, Suicide Prevention Coordinator at Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit, who will present on suicide prevention, risk awareness, and early intervention strategies for schools and families.

All of this connects directly to Defeat the Label’s Upstander Program — an evidence-based, school-implemented initiative that helps students recognize and report bullying, build empathy, and support peers before a crisis escalates. With the OK2SAY report confirming such a sharp rise in bullying and cyberbullying tips, there’s never been a more critical time for schools to adopt proactive, whole-student programs like this.

The Community Conversation on Bullying is completely free to attend, and registration is open at https://tinyurl.com/DTLCCOB2025.

This event shines a light on what’s really happening in Michigan schools — and how educators, parents, and advocates can come together to make a difference.

According to Michigan’s newly released OK2SAY 2024 Annual Report, the state’s confidential student safety tip line received 11,719 reports in 2024 — a 20% increase from the previous year. The top categories were bullying, suicide threats, and mental health concerns, together accounting for thousands of tips from students across Michigan.

The data paints a concerning picture: students are speaking up more than ever about bullying, harassment, and online exploitation, and they’re asking for help.

In response, Defeat the Label, a Michigan-based nonprofit dedicated to ending bullying through education and empowerment, continues to expand its evidence-based programming to meet these growing needs.

“These numbers aren’t just statistics — they’re stories,” said Jamie Kaniarz, Executive Director of Defeat the Label. “Every bullying report represents a child who’s struggling to feel safe. Every suicide threat reflects someone in pain. Our job is to make sure schools have the tools, training, and culture to respond before these situations become crises.”

About Defeat the Label’s Upstander Program

At the heart of Defeat the Label’s efforts is the Upstander Program, an in-school initiative that equips students with the skills and confidence to safely and effectively stand up against bullying. The program promotes empathy, emotional intelligence, and responsible online behavior through interactive lessons and real-world scenarios.

The Upstander Program directly aligns with the goals of the Michigan Student Safety Act and complements OK2SAY’s mission by:

• Teaching students how to recognize and report bullying and online harm.


• Helping schools create a culture of respect and inclusion.


• Encouraging early intervention through peer awareness and adult engagement.

“We can’t only react after harm occurs — we need prevention at every level,” Kaniarz added. “Programs like Upstander make that possible. They empower students to take action and help their peers long before something becomes an OK2SAY tip.”

Defeat the Label’s Commitment

• Beyond Upstander, Defeat the Label provides schools and communities with tools and events like:


• UMatter Week, promoting mental health, kindness, and connection.


• The Community Conversation on Bullying, a free annual virtual conference for educators and parents.


• Stand4Change Day, a global anti-bullying pledge each October engaging schools across all 50 states and 60+ countries.


• Together, these initiatives work toward one shared goal: ending bullying and empowering every student to be seen, heard, and safe.

About Defeat the Label

Founded in Michigan, Defeat the Label is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating bullying and social cruelty through awareness, education, and empowerment. The organization’s programs are built on the belief that change begins when students choose to be Upstanders — not bystanders.