NATCHITOCHES, La. ( KTAL/KMSS ) – Be kind, accepting, and inclusive is the motto of a local non-profit whose goal is to prevent bullying. The founder’s own experience with bullying in elementary school led her on a mission to help children who’ve been hurt.

Sachiri Henderson is now a sophomore at Northwestern State University . Everywhere she goes, she spreads the message of kindness.

“Everyone deserves to feel accepted. Everyone deserves to feel included, and kindness is important,” said Henderson.

She learned this lesson early in life after being bullied in the third grade.

“Obviously, when I was younger, I didn’t really know what bullying was, and I didn’t know what to do with that information,” Henderson shared.

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Her mother, Angela Henderson, knew what to do. They found resources online, from PACERS’s National Bullying Prevention Center website. Then, the mother/daughter duo created BEAST Crew , which stands for Bullying Ends Against Students Today. While still in elementary school, Henderson and the BEAST Crew held a walk to raise awareness of bullying.

When she became a student at Youree Drive Middle Magnet School , Henderson helped create a BEAST Crew school club.

“We had over 40 students be involved in BEAST Crew and be involved in the kindness and inclusion initiatives that happened on campus when I was there,” Henderson explained.

As a Captain Shreve High School student , BEAST Crew evolved into the non-profit organization it is today.

“All of the money that is raised or is donated to us is used to pay for counseling for students who are going through bullying,” said Henderson. “We also partner with other non-profit organizations in the Shreveport, Bossier and Natchitoches area and do donations and food drives as well.”

Ironically, Henderson’s experience with bullying led to a movement that improved her self-esteem.

“It definitely did help build up my confidence,” shared Henderson. “I went into pageantry with this platform and it became something that I got the opportunity to go into the schools and the community, just spreading awareness.”

And what happened to that student who bullied her so long ago? They became friends.

“I definitely killed my bully with kindness as my mother would like to say.”

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