When we started Daddy’s Promise in June 2008, one of the things we wanted to do at the end of our first year was host a dance. Bounty, our title sponsor, loved the idea from the beginning and held a contest for people to submit an essay about the special relationship between a father and daughter. Among other things, the winners would win a trip to the dance.

We worked tirelessly to make the dance a day to remember for fathers and daughters and hoped that it would be a big hit. I went on Steve Harvey’s radio show three weeks before the dance to promote it and within a couple of hours the dance was sold out!!!!!!! We knew from our past events throughout the year that Daddy’s Promise is filling a void. We also discovered that there are many families that want to celebrate the special relationship that a father and daughter share, but having the dance sell out in such a short time pleasantly surprised all of us; in fact, it floored us!

Sometimes when you work on something for a long period, it doesn’t always meet your expectations. This was not the case for the dance. From celebrities Vivica Fox and Sherri Shepherd -both of whom joined us with their fathers, to singer, Will Downing who sang his song, Beautiful to Me, that he wrote for his daughter and lent to us for our theme song, to the volunteers who made the day run smoothly, everyone gave of their time and spirit. When Cupid hit the stage and started his smash hit, The Cupid Shuffle, everyone hit the floor. DJ Beverly Bond kept the tunes coming and we all saluted special guests Je’Niece McCullough (Bernie Mac’s daughter) and Ilyasah Shabazz (Malcolm X’s daughter) who honored the memory of their late fathers and graciously received “thanks” from everyone for sharing their fathers with the world.

The love in the room was palpable. From father with babies in arms to those who came with their 50-something adult daughters, everyone shared in love and fun that day! From the food, to the dancing, to the laughter watching little daughters and some “older” ones- ya’ll need to quit - go down our Soul Train line, the day was filled with joy.

At the end of the dance, the ladies (Carol, Toya and Leslie) who helped put everything together and I, were tired and spent, but most of all we were elated. We were elated that we had turned a vision into reality, elated that we had a successful event, and most of all elated that we had brought a bit of joy to families.

We intend to move into the fall with more events, the first being a panel in September during the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative weekend in Washington, D.C. We will also have more exciting events that we will announce later (keep checking http://www.daddyspromise.com for details).

So let me answer the question so many asked at the end of the dance…Yes, we intend to do the dance again. We want the dance to become an annual event. I can’t wait to do it again and watch everyone get back on the floor and let the good times roll.

 A Special Father’s Day Note:

This is the time we get celebrated. With Father’s Day, we are given love from those around us. We are taken to Outback or McDonald’s, or some other place that will give us some red meat, for being “The World’s Best Dad,” and don’t forget the great gifts (OK, sometimes they get it right!)

But, while everyone is telling you how great you are (are you’re buying it) don’t forget to also savor the time and relationship you have with your children. These are the times that in the end matter the most.

Happy Father’s Day!

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