At TBSMC, we are dedicated to promoting safety, preventing bullying, and empowering young people through education. Recently, we conducted workshops at Robinson Middle School, Martin Luther King Boy’s Academy in Toledo, and a community forum at the Quality Inn and Suites Conference Room in Sandusky, Ohio. These sessions focused on critical topics, including “What To Do When Stopped By Police,” bullying prevention, and emergency preparedness.

At Martin Luther King Boy’s Academy, as part of the Annual Youth Symposium hosted by the Lota Theta Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., we led a workshop emphasizing peer-led learning in collaboration with Toledo Public Schools’ YMOE and YWOE programs at Scott High School. Students engaged in interactive role-playing exercises focused on the two C’s: “Comply now, Complain later.” These exercises covered essential aspects such as hand placement during encounters, effective communication with officers, and protocols for a safe stop. Toledo Police Officers provided valuable insights, and educational videos reinforced key lessons on compliance and responsible interactions with law enforcement.

At Robinson Middle School, students participated in discussions on bullying, sharing personal experiences and learning practical strategies for both victims and bystanders. The session also included emergency preparedness training, equipping students with the knowledge to handle unexpected situations.

In addition to our school-based initiatives, we recently hosted the “What To Do When Stopped by Police” community forum workshop at the Quality Inn and Suites Conference Room in Sandusky, Ohio. Sponsored by the Sandusky City Police Department and the Erie County Sheriff, the event was met with great success.

As part of our program, we offer hands-on learning experiences through engaging role-playing scenarios involving passengers and police officers. Using a stage prop car, students take on the roles of both law enforcement and individuals in a vehicle, enacting situations where they either comply with or fail to comply with officers’ requests. This exercise highlights how interactions between citizens and law enforcement can escalate and, more importantly, how they can be de-escalated. The core message reinforces the importance of compliance during an encounter, regardless of personal feelings about the officer’s actions, and emphasizes addressing concerns through proper channels afterward.

Following both school workshops, students had the opportunity to explore our iconic “Iron Ponies” and participate in a Q&A session, reinforcing the importance of education, future planning, and community engagement. Through these initiatives, we strive to equip young people with the confidence and knowledge to navigate challenging situations responsibly.