Chantel Sings is no stranger to the Twin Cities. A nationally renowned R&B singer, longtime morning host for KMOJ — Minnesota’s leading Black radio station — and proud cancer survivor, Sings has long served as an empowering voice in the local community and beyond.
Continuing her years of meaningful impact, Sings released her latest project on May 17: a powerful children’s book titled “Billy Likes to Bully.”
The book aims to raise awareness about the realities of bullying, a pervasive issue that affects children and adults alike. Rooted in Sings’ own experiences growing up in Chicago’s Robert Taylor Homes, once one of the largest public housing developments in the country, the story carries a deeply personal message.
“I knew I wanted to start with bullying,” Sings said. “Because of some of the experiences I went through as a child — being bullied, which was really difficult for me — I thought, ‘You know what? I’ll begin by writing about bullying and create an anti-bullying campaign.’ I want people to understand how deeply bullying can affect someone, even well into adulthood.”
The book not only highlights what many children experience, but also reminds parents and caregivers that bullying can persist into adulthood.
“Bullying is never okay, whether it’s bullying of young people or adult bullying,” she said. “I feel like I’ve experienced adult bullying just as much, if not more, than I did as a kid.”
One passage in the book cites, “According to bullying statistics, 49% of children in grades 4 to 12 have been bullied by other students at school at least once.” Additional studies show that 31% of American adults also report being bullied, often with similar consequences — stress, depression, and challenges in daily life.
Though written for children, “Billy Likes to Bully” delivers a multigenerational message. Sings challenges adults not only to protect children, but also to reflect on their own actions and uphold values of kindness and respect.
A culturally centered approach
From a publishing perspective, “Billy Likes to Bully” also fills a critical cultural gap. A 2021 study found that Black children experience bullying at a rate of 40%, compared to 33% of white children. Sings’ book is one of few that portrays bullying specifically from a Black perspective, using culturally relevant illustrations and subject matter.
“When I wrote the book, I knew for sure I wanted the characters to be Black, African American — because we don’t see enough of that,” Sings said.
To bring her vision to life, she partnered with local artist Nikki McComb, founder of the organization Art For Social Change.
“Nikki McComb has been doing a lot of great work. You can go to restaurants and see her artwork on the walls. She’s been doing exhibitions, and she is just amazing,” Sings said. “It was important for me that the characters were Black, and it was important that the illustrations were done by a local artist here in Minnesota.”
To celebrate the release of “Billy Likes to Bully,” Sings will host a free, family-friendly book signing on May 31 from 3 to 7 pm at Par 365, a Black-owned golf and lounge venue. The event will include live readings, a Q&A with the author, and signed copies available for purchase.
“Billy Likes to Bully” is available on Amazon. To order, search: “Billy Likes to Bully by Chantel Sings.”
Tiffany Nicole Johnson is a marketer, writer and musician based in Minneapolis. She is also the associate director of marketing at Saint Paul’s historic Penumbra Theater.