Mineola Middle School and the Flint & Steel Coalition will host Romereo Brown, the CEO of Tyler clothing brand and store, Weird and Different, at the school in October.

Romereo will speak out against bullying and will challenge students to accept others no matter their differences.

Romereo was bullied growing up because he was born deaf in his right ear. His peers would tease him and call him names like mush mouth, the character from the popular show, “Fat Albert.”

He embraced his uniqueness and launched himself into entrepreneurship after studying business at Tyler Junior College.

He created a brand that represents the reinvention of those hurtful words in a way that embraces the oddness in all individuals.

Flint & Steel would like to provide wristbands branded with the Weird and Different logo as their anti-bullying pledge this year. Each wristband costs roughly $1, and the coalition is ordering 400 bands.

Those willing and able to donate $10, $20 or whatever to this cause please contact Susan Witt, 903-316-3324. Any amount helps reach the goal.

“Romereo’s message and mission to stop bullying fits right in with our coalition, and I’m excited to be a part of helping him fight against meanness,” Witt said.