It’s a day Latonia Elementary students and Carlos Dunlap won’t soon forget. Dunlap is a defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals and he is tackling bullying one AFC city at a time. 

Students in the after school program at Latonia read the book “Malik, the Difference Maker” by Cincinnati author LaMarque Ward. The book is about a young boy who was bullied and how he handled the situation. Dunlap and Ward met with the students to discuss the book and how it can relate to their own situations.

After the book discussion, Dunlap joined the students in painting rocks with encouraging messages to wipe out bullying. The students planted the rocks around the playground in hopes that others will find them in a time of need. 

Before the program closed, the students took Dunlap’s Bully-Free Oath. The students promised to take a stand against bullying and to be a difference maker. Each student received a Certificate of Achievement, a t-shirt, a button, pizza, and an autograph. Dunlap was so impressed with the students’ posters that he took some home with him.

Dunlap kicked off his anti-bullying campaign in September. The tour will not only make stops in the greater Cincinnati area, but also in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, and Baltimore when the Bengals play in those cities.