Comedian Michael Blackson is taking his voice from the stage to the classroom. The Ghanaian-American star has started touring high schools in the United States to talk with students about dealing with bullying, according to a report by YEN.com.gh.
Blackson announced the tour on Instagram after the death of Javits Frimpong, a 15-year-old Ghanaian student in New York, which has moved Ghanaians at home and abroad. YEN.com.gh reports that he pledged to visit schools to speak with immigrant students about handling bullying.
His first stop was John Bartram High School in Philadelphia, his alma mater. He thanked the school's principal, Brian Johnson, and asked his followers to suggest which schools he should visit next, the report says.
Blackson has spoken about being bullied as a teenager. YEN.com.gh reports that he said he was targeted at Broadway Junior High School in Newark, New Jersey, at around the same age as Javits, and that he faced hostility as the only African student at his school. He recalled being attacked on a bus by a boy from another school.
His story echoes the experiences of many young African immigrants in the US, who often face teasing and hostility over their accents, names, food or appearance as they adjust to a new country.
Dancehall star Stonebwoy was among those who praised the initiative. "Amazing, brother. Very well so. You own a whole school," he commented, according to YEN.com.gh.
Michael Blackson, born in Ghana and raised partly in Liberia before moving to the United States as a teenager, is one of the best-known African comedians in the US. He is famous for his loud, energetic stand-up style and has appeared in films and on television, building a large following on social media with his trademark catchphrases.
He has maintained close ties with Ghana, regularly visiting the country, supporting charitable projects and working with Ghanaian celebrities. He has also funded a school in Ghana, reflecting his long interest in education and in giving children opportunities he did not have.
School bullying is a serious issue in many countries. Education experts say that open conversations, visible role models and support from teachers can make a real difference to students who feel isolated or targeted. Schools that make it easy to report bullying also tend to respond faster.
A well-known comedian who shares a similar background can help young immigrant students feel seen and encourage them to speak up and seek help.
Ghanaians in the US have responded to Javits's death with vigils, marches and calls for justice. Officials from Ghana's Permanent Mission to the United Nations have visited his family, and Ghanaian celebrities have shared tributes. YEN.com.gh reports that, as of November 3, no arrests had been made.
Blackson's school tour is one of the more practical responses so far, aimed at preventing other young people from feeling unsafe at school.
Celebrities often use their platforms to raise awareness after tragedies, but turning that into regular, face-to-face engagement with students is less common. By returning to his own school first, Blackson is showing students that someone who once sat in their seats, and faced the same struggles, went on to succeed.
Blackson has asked fans to suggest further schools, and more visits are expected in the coming weeks. Fans will be watching his social media for updates on where the tour goes next, and whether other Ghanaian and African celebrities in the diaspora follow his lead by visiting schools in their own communities.
