Three days of panel discussions, outdoor fun for children and dads and an award ceremony capped off the latest collective efforts to showcase the relevance and importance of Black men in the lives of their children.
What came out of the three-day initiative is the conclusion that efforts can prove highly effective when they are done in collaborative means that allow the best of various organizations to share their expertise with others.
Sponsored by the 100 Fathers, Inc. along with a large group of other stakeholders, the DC and DMV Fatherhood Coalition pulled off a momentous 2019 fatherhood celebration. This year’s theme was “To Be a Father is Great but to be Called Dad Takes a Lifelong Commitment.”
During the panel of fatherhood experts on Friday, June 14, participants weighed in on the theme, “The Undeniable Benefits and Rewards of the Fatherhood Movement.” Sam Ford of WJLA-TV (Channel 7) shared personal reflections and hosted the panel which included remarks from the Office of Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton and a panel featuring an array of experts featuring an opening statement by Mr. Paul Montiero, former national White House Fatherhood Leader, along with a panel of experts.
during the seventh annual Fatherhood Legislative Forum in northwest D.C. on June 14. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)
On Saturday, June 15, activities continued with a Fathers Field Day hosted by the DC Commission for Fathers Men and Boys at Marvin Gaye Park in Northeast. On Sunday, June 16, Union Temple Baptist Church served as the site for a Blessing of the Fathers with Fathers of the Year Awards.
Award recipients included: Donald Temple, Father of the Year; William Craig, Young Father of the Year; Larry McMichael, Incarcerated Father of the Year; Pierpont Mobley, Grandfather of the Year; and William Weaver, Returning Citizen Father of the Year.
The sponsoring Fatherhood Coalition came to together seven years ago at the request of Franklyn Malone, CEO of The 100 Fathers, Inc., and Tyrone Parker, executive director of the Alliance of Concerned Men. The Coalition consists of a variety of local companies, non-profit organizations, fraternities, sororities and several faith-based groups.
“The mission of the Fatherhood Coalition is to bring together individuals, organizations and government agencies to address the needs of the 21st century fathers and their families,” Malone said. “In working with the D.C. Commission on Fathers, Men & Boys, along with Congresswoman Norton’s Commission on Black Men and Boys, we are celebrating the undeniable success, sacrifice and determination of fathers in our community. Our call for action as a community has arrived and we as fathers must stand up, speak up and step out for our families and children.”
All the Coalitions and Men’s groups in the world can’t save our boys, fellow men better than ReSegregation, autonomy, Trans Afrikanism.