Jim Clemente, a writer and former FBI behavioral analyst at O3C Partners, and 321 Stop Bullying launched the “Bury the Hatchet” Movement Tour on Feb. 22 at the Greensboro First Methodist Church campus off Broad Street.
According to organizers, the event was intended to combat gang violence and promote community healing.
“We are coming together as a community to provide real solutions to the issues fueling crime and violence in our neighborhoods,” said Telly Boone, CEO of O3C. “This event is more than a conversation; it’s a movement toward lasting change.”
Community members, including the Greene County Tigers basketball team, heard speakers with real-life testimonies and learned about resources to promote safer neighborhoods.
Greensboro Police Chief Rodricus Monford was one of several speakers at the event.
“I stand before you today not just as chief of police but as a member of the community,” Monford said. “One that deeply cares about and believes in [his community]. Today, we are here to talk about something that can change our lives and strengthen our bonds: the powerful act of burying the hatchet.
“We all know conflicts can arise between individuals and groups, creating divides that can seem insurmountable,” Monford continued. “Sometimes, misunderstandings can spiral into larger issues. But I want to remind you, we have the power to change that narrative. We have the ability to choose reconciliation over resentment, understanding over anger. As law enforcement, our mission is not only to keep the community safe but also to foster trust and cooperation. When we bury the hatchet, we’re not just resolving our differences, we’re building a foundation of trust that allows us to work toward a common goal: a safer, more harmonious community for everyone.”
“To the youth in this room, you’re the future leaders of this community,” Monford added. “Your voices matter. When conflicts arise, have the courage to listen and understand. Think about the relationships in your life ... Are there grudges that weigh heavy on your heart? I challenge you to take the first step. Reach out to someone you may have had a falling out with. Open a dialogue. You might be surprised by the understanding that follows. As we move forward, let’s choose to build bridges, not walls. Together, we can create a community where everyone feels valued, where conflicts are resolved with dialogue, and where we all stand together against division. Let’s work together to build a brighter future here in Greensboro.”
Osborne Dennis, founder and CEO of 321 Stop Bullying, brought a deeply personal perspective to the event. Having experienced bullying as a youth and later becoming involved in criminal activities that led to incarceration, Dennis emerged from his six-and-a-half-year prison sentence determined to make a difference.
As an author and activist, Dennis now leads anti-bullying awareness efforts through events, walks, and advocacy.
“My parents couldn’t tell me nothing,” Dennis said. “My teachers couldn’t tell me nothing. Family members couldn’t tell me anything. And if they did try to tell me something, it went in one ear and out the other. Despite being raised in a two-parent household, growing up in the church, and being baptized at the age of 10, I lived a life of crime. I’d been rolling the dice with my freedom for years. In 2005, I crapped out.
"I was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison. I was in a lonely place with nothing but time to serve. I thought I was invincible and smarter than others," Dennis continued. "With nothing to lose, I did the smartest thing I had ever done in my life. I repented of my sins and called on the name of Jesus. "When you look in the mirror, smile and know that you have everything it takes for victory to be yours.”