First, let me say “Sorry” for taking so long to post this latest update. Between getting my daughter ready for her freshman year of high school (sigh) and getting Daddy’s Promise on the road (we’ll get to that in a moment) I have been crazed. But, the event that kept me from being diligent in keeping Ed Talks (more) current was the historic presidential campaign. Like so many Americans, I was caught up in the excitement and thanks to my career, I had a front row seat and even some personal involvement.

 

So much symbolism has occurred since Barack Obama won one of the most engaging elections in this country’s history. Beyond the obvious visual statement of a black man taking this nation’s helm he has also given image to another very important role, Fatherhood! He is making it “cool” to be a caring and loving father. His hands on involvement with his two daughters will go a long way in saying to men, as he has on the campaign trail, you must be present in the lives of your children. 

 

By taking his daughters to school or making sure he saw them on Halloween, in spite of being in the middle of a fight for the most powerful seat in the world, he set an example that no matter what is going on in your life you have to make time for your children. “Fellas,” this makes it a little difficult to tell your little girl you’re too busy to hang out with her or take her to a dance. Let’s make sure we follow the President-elect’s lead and show the nation that our next President is one of many black men who are engaged in their daughters’ lives.

I sat with Barack Obama a number of times during his historic Presidential run. During one of those interviews I asked him about what he hopes for his daughters’ future. He, like most fathers, wants to see his girls have the same chance and opportunity as any one.  

 

As he leads this nation into a critical time for recovery and healing, let’s not lose sight that he is doing the same for fatherhood. He is by example showing us how to be good fathers.

Now, an update on the initiative…

I am humbled by the acceptance of the project. It can really be best described by the words of one of America’s greatest songwriters, William “Smokey” Robinson. His lyrics from the hit “It’s Growing” (made famous by The Temptations) aptly tells the story of Daddy’s Promise.

Smokey wrote:
Like a snow ball rolling down the side of a snow-covered hill it’s growing.
Like the size of the fish that the man claims broke his reel it’s growing.
Like the rose bud blooming in the warmth of the summer sun it’s growing.
Like the tale by the time its been told by more then one it’s growing.

I am really glad to say we can add our initiative to that poetic list.  We now boast thousands of people that have viewed our video on YouTube. Almost one thousand people have sent pictures for our web site photo album. Many of you have dropped us a line to share your thoughts and hundreds of thousand have logged on to the site. It has been very gratifying for me, and the team, to see the hearts we have touched.

In fact, so many of you made it clear that you wanted to be a part of Daddy’s Promise that we have created a tour that is going to churches and colleges across the country to spread the news of the importance of this special bond between a father and his daughter.

Our church tour kicked-off in my hometown of Detroit and we couldn’t have asked for a better start. 3,000 people attended service at Second Ebenezer Church as we talked of the importance of fathers being active participants in raising their daughters. During the service hundreds of men stood, with their daughters, and recited the Daddy’s Promise pledge. What a powerful site that was. There are few things like a father publicly giving his love to his “baby”.
The day didn’t end there. After the service, we had a cooking station sponsored by Bounty to show men and their daughters how to have fun in the kitchen and how to eat healthy. We also had father-daughter portraits taken on site and our ice cream sundae station became a quick favorite. We hope to replicate this teaching and fun in many cities in the months to come. In fact, we’ll visit The Potter’s House in Dallas this month.

We’ve also been going universities to talk with young people about why parenting is important and the full dynamic of the male-female relationship. We’re bringing fascinating groups of people (to each campus) to share their thoughts and stories as we talk candidly; discussing what hasn’t always “really” been talked about! We spoke to full houses when we brought all-star panels to Morehouse in Atlanta and Cheyney in Philly.

Finally, emotion was the name of the game when another all-star panel and packed crowd gathered in Washington, D.C. during the Congressional Black Caucus. In the second of three special Ford-sponsored town halls, frank discussion, raw emotions and tears of joy and sorrow were the order of the day.

There is a lot more to come, including a national Father/Daughter dance (see home page for a chance to win a trip) we’re planning for this summer in New York City. Stay tuned for more about that soon and make sure you look for us to come to your city.