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“The divorce rate is 49% in the US, but it’s only Black dads that are painted as deadbeats. We have allowed society to say that we are absentee fathers, when in fact, we are just as dedicated to our children as white fathers. If we don’t fight back on the stereotypes, then we eventually succumb to what society wants; we have to break that cycle. It starts with current Black fathers and hopefully will trickle down to our kids. The fact is, we are educated, we have amazing families, and we want the same things for our kids that anyone else wants for theirs.”

“When I was two years old, I lost my father to kidney failure. Without having any memories of my dad, I was totally impacted by his death. I did not have an in-home role model of a dad. I grew up, like many of my friends, in a fatherless home. But I work hard to be a present, hands-on dad. I hope people truly understand that they are accountable and can dictate their narrative. Yes, we are products of our environment, but we can change our future. Where you come from and the circumstances of your birth does not mean that your children have to share that fate. You can be the dad you did not have. You can be the dad you needed and wanted. Being a dad takes a lot of effort but is the single most important task that you will ever have. It is also the most rewarding. Great Black dads exist and need to be celebrated.”

“It hurt to see my wife in so much pain and distress after the miscarriage. Feeling helpless on so many levels. Wanting to fix it for her, knowing I can’t. It hurts.”

“Being a Black dad means I survived being a black boy. To get to this point there were many years and instances where I didn’t know if I would live. And when I wasn’t questioning my mortality, I was in need of tremendous personal growth in order to feel like I could be a viable husband and father. And this is despite having a good, present father and healthy family structure. Because I was prayed for, a lot, I made it to this point where God has entrusted me to raise 2 boys. I didn’t start my family until well into my 30s, and as I am just a month shy of my 40th birthday, day-in and day-out, being a husband and a father is my greatest gift. Being a Black dad is full of short years and long nights, so I try to be present as much as possible and give my best to my family as often as I can. Some days I fall short and others I ain’t even right at all, but I keep working, I keep praying, and keep trying.”

“I would like to see this go project go viral. I want it to flood every timeline from coast to coast. I want people to see the faces of the fathers that are being killed. I want them to see how happy our children are with us in their lives and then be forced to imagine that same face finding out that daddy is dead. I want people sad. I want tears. I want change.”

“I really hope that this will show that a good majority of Black men aren’t absentee fathers, reoccurring guests on daytime trash tv shows, or always on the wrong side of the law. This is the biggest hurdle of my everyday life, having to prove repeatedly to people I meet that I’m not stupid, that I won’t rob them, that I’m not a suspicious character for living outside of low income housing. I don’t want my kids to have to fight those issues everywhere they go. Show us to the world. Show them we matter. Show them the positivity, the love, the father raising his children to be strong in a world of hate, in a world where ‘shoot first, ask no questions, walk away’ is a daily event. Show them we aren’t all stereotypes from generations past, that we exist, we want to enjoy our lives, and be as happy as others.”

“I hope that this project will show the world that Black fathers are present. We are not absentee fathers. And we don’t stop being dads when our children leave the home. Fathers are forever.

My greatest concern is that young Black people will lose hope for change in this country, and in the system. I’m afraid this country will break into another civil war, a race war (so to speak), and it will probably destroy the country.”

“Being a Black dad in today’s society to me means being extraordinary. Extraordinary in my faith, my vocation, my social interactions, etc. As a Black dad, it is critical for me to let my kids understand they are loved and that they can achieve their dreams in spite of the challenges they will face in society. I have been impressed by the resilience of the Black Lives Matter movement despite their core message being misconstrued or lost in communication at times. I am hopeful that my kids will attain self-actualization and be all that God has called them to be. Children are innocent and pure; my fear is that society will start to chisel at those qualities bit by bit. However, I remain hopeful that in those times they will draw on the teachings I am able to impart to them.” (Photo Credit: Ore Adesina)

“Growing up most of my friends didn’t have a father figure in the home, but my brother and I were very fortunate to have our father present. He taught us everything from being a man and taking care of our responsibilities, to hunting and fishing. I believe it is also my responsibility to teach my kids the same things, and to have those same values to pass on to their families.” (Photo credit: Ore Adesina)