Chicago gospel choir takes on bullying

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Internationally known for their spirit-filled singing, Walt Whitman's Soul Children of Chicago are championing an anti-bullying movement with a new song.

The Grammy Award-winning group is no stranger to the stage, traveling even to the White House.

"In addition to them being from my hometown, they are "A" students. They have excellent attendance and they remind us that this is why we do the work that we do," first lady Michelle Obama said.

Now the group is encouraging their peers "stand up and stand out." That's something some of the children said can be hard to do at home.

"By me being bigger and not really being popular, they would taunt me and call me names. I didn't like what was going on. But they kept doing it. They would make me feel insecure and bad about myself," Shanita Hill, 16, said.

"I didn't tell people much what's going on with me and how the kids bullied me. I was very like went straight to my room did my homework and after that just stayed in there. I was very depressed," Imani Emanuel, 14, said

With hopes of reaching the hearts of other children and giving them the courage to stand up for themselves, the choir is recording an anti-bullying song.

Gospel rapper J.Kwest said he knew the song he wrote would hit home.

"I wanted to write a song that could empower them, that could let them know that somebody is with you. I'm with you. These young folks are with you. And hopefully to give them something to say to encourage them," the Rev. Julian "J.Kwest" DeShazier said.

Soul Children of Chicago founder Dr. Walt Whitman says the song is a first step toward a global impact.

"Whether you're the CEO of a Fortune 500 company your child may still be bullied. Whether you are coming from the projects, your child may still go through the bullying process," Whitman said. "I believe that this initiative takes us beyond Chicago, beyond the states. It takes us across the nation and to the world."

Walt Whitman and the Soul Children will perform LIVE Wednesday on Windy City LIVE at 11 a.m.