Fontana, CA — Inland Valley News, through its impactful “Stop the Hate Inland Empire” initiative supported by California Black Media, the Urban Business Journal, and the California State Library, recently brought the “Stop the Hate, Spread the Love” campaign to the eighth-grade leadership students of Heritage Intermediate School. This program focuses on empowering youth to recognize and address the roots of intolerance and hate, fostering empathy as a foundational community value.
Kim Anthony-Morrow, Founder and CEO of Urban Excellence Network, Inc., and Ta Lese Morrow, Publisher of Inland Valley News, led the eighth graders through an engaging, activity-driven presentation on the importance of empathy and the role each student plays in spreading acceptance. The program is part of a broader mission to educate and empower students across the Inland Empire to combat prejudice with compassion.
“The program was fantastic because it was interactive, not just a lecture,” said LaTawyna Robinson, who teaches the eighth-grade leadership class. She noted how well the activities resonated with students, allowing them to connect with the message on a personal level.
One of the program’s central exercises invited each eighth grader to create a “potato persona,” assigning names and stories to their potato characters, a fun and imaginative way to help students consider what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes. As they shared stories, students reflected on empathy and discussed how hate often stems from unprocessed pain. “Hate sometimes comes from the hurt people are carrying,” shared one student, while another commented on how hate can be “a coping mechanism.”
This level of reflection left teachers moved and inspired. “I see my students every day, but it was amazing to hear the depth of their responses,” Robinson said. “It made me realize they’re carrying thoughts and reflections they don’t always express.”
The “Stop the Hate Inland Empire” campaign is especially focused on middle school students in the region, bringing tools and exercises that help young people better understand the value of tolerance and the importance of stepping up to support classmates facing prejudice. These eighth graders, now inspired and equipped with tools for empathy, serve as a beacon for younger students, demonstrating the program’s powerful impact.
“It’s inspiring to see how eighth graders, in particular, are grasping these big ideas,” said Robinson. “They now understand that people have scars, and it takes time and kindness to see who they really are.”
By focusing on Inland Empire’s next generation, the “Stop the Hate Inland Empire” initiative empowers students to confront intolerance with compassion and fosters a positive school culture that celebrates diversity. Inland Valley News will continue to support and expand the program, reaching more students and schools in the region.
