I Am Dad

Challenges and Strategies of Successful Reentry Programs w/ Tina Niadoo

Tina Naidoo, Executive Director, Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative, Dallas, TX
https://www.medc-tori.org/
Tina Naidoo has served under the leadership of Bishop T.D. Jakes for over 25 years. Among her many other accolades, Ms. Naidoo has been recognized as a White House Champion of Change in 2016. In 2021, Ms. Naidoo was asked to testify to the Canadian Parliament on behalf of a Bill that was inspired by the T.O.R.I. program, and her tireless work to forward second chance legislation. Ms. Naidoo continues to lead T.O.R.I. with a culture that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every participant, employee, and partner by forwarding the vision of a reformed criminal justice system.  In the 15+ years since inception, T.O.R.I. has witnessed the rehabilitation of over 30,000 returning citizens.

Reflecting on the 27th Anniversary of the Million Man March w/ David Miller and Shawn Dove

The Million Man March was a large gathering of African-American men in Washington, D.C., on October 16, 1995. Called by Louis Farrakhan, it was held on and around the National Mall.
For  12 years, Shawn served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA), a national membership organization committed to improving the life outcomes for Black men and boys. Under his leadership, CBMA has leveraged more than $212 million in national and local funds for Black Male Achievement and grew to include nearly 6,000 individuals and 3,000 organizational members across the U.S. Now he is the CEO of the Corporation for Black Male Achievement—Continuing the work of youth development motivating professionals, community-building, and advocating for children and families.   He is also the author of the recently released book I TOO AM AMERICA. Learn more about his work at https://dovesoars.com/
Baltimore native, David Miller, has received international acclaim for Dare to Be King: What If the Prince Lives. A Survival Workbook for African American Males, a thought-provoking, 52-week curriculum teaching adolescent males how to survive and thrive in toxic environments. Currently, a Ph.D. student in the School of Social Work at Morgan State University with a concentration on Black fathers, Miller has written several children’s books, including Khalil’s Way, The Green Family Farm, Gabe & His Green Thumb & They Look Like Me (coloring book). http://daretobeking.net/

Placing a Focus on Black Fatherhood within a Family Context w/ Dr. Latrice Rollins

Latrice Rollins is an Assistant Professor at Morehouse School of Medicine in the Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine and Prevention Research Center. She is also the director of the National African American Child and Family Research Center. Dr. Rollins is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader, whose work is focused on father engagement and father-inclusive practices in health and human services. She is the principal investigator for several community-based participatory research studies focused on father engagement in maternal and child health and violence prevention. She is the editor of the book, Engaging and Working with African American Fathers: Strategies and Lessons Learned.

Where is the Black Love for Black Fatherhood w/ Dr. Armon Perry

Armon R. Perry, Ph.D., MSW is a Professor and Director of the BSW Program at the University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work. Dr. Perry teaches Introduction to Social Work. Dr. Perry’s research interests include fathers’ involvement in the lives of their children, leading him to co-edit, Fatherhood in America: Social Work Perspectives in a Changing Society, a comprehensive edited volume addressing the micro and macro factors shaping paternal involvement. 
Currently, Dr. Perry serves as the Principal Investigator of the 4 Your Child Program, a federally funded multi-site project that aims to increase non-resident fathers’ capacity for paternal involvement. In addition to his teaching and research, Dr. Perry has professional experience in the areas of child protective services and as a parent education curriculum facilitator. 

The Importance of Research and Fatherhood w/ Dr. Jeffrey Shears

Jeffery Shears - The Importance of Research and Fatherhood
Chair; Moynihan Institute for Fatherhood Research and Policy
Jeffrey Shears is a Professor in the School of Social Work Departments at UNC Charlotte, where he is also the Director of the Joint Masters Social Work Program (JMSW). Dr. Shears earned his BSW and Masters in Education Administration from North Carolina A&T State University and his PhD in Social Work from the University of Denver. His research interest is men (fathering, multicultural issues, HIV and AIDS) and quantitative research with an emphasis on data sharing among social service agencies. In addition, Dr. Shears has an extensive list of academic publications on fathering featured in national and internationally refereed journals. He is co-author of the acclaimed “What all Dads Should Know” (Createaspace Publishers, 2011). 

Understanding the Work of Fatherhood and Re-Entry w/ Ron Tijerina

Ron Tijerina is the co-founder and co-executive director of The RIDGE Project, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides services through partnerships with churches, schools, and state and national agencies to serve the youth and families of Ohio. The organization also strives to inform individuals, communities, the media, and local and national policymakers of the importance of strong families. Together with his wife Catherine, Mr. Tijerina co-created the award-winning TYRO curriculum, which attacks the cultures of entitlement, incarceration, and generational cycles of poverty that fragment families and destroy legacies. His work in the Ohio prison system and across the nation has strengthened tens of thousands of families and garnered national attention.

The Work of Fathers Incorporated w/ Guest Host Willie Moore Jr.

As a nationally syndicated radio personality, actor, social media influencer, activist, musician, husband and father of four awesome children, Willie Moore Jr. has proven that innate charisma, abundant creativity, and a passion for empowerment can translate in the faith-based community and the general market.
Established in 2004, FI has a unique seat at the national table, working with leaders in the White House, Congress, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Family Law, Business, Faith-Based and the Responsible Fatherhood Movement. FI works collaboratively with organizations around the country to identify and advocate for social and legislative changes that lead to healthy father involvement with children, regardless of the father’s marital or economic status, or geographic location.

The Importance of Black Fatherhood in Film w/ Malik Yoba

Our guest, Malik Yoba was born in the Bronx and is an actor, youth and fatherhood advocate, singer and has many other accomplished talents. For the the older school he is known for his starring role as NYPD Detective J. C. Williams on the Fox police drama New York Undercover and as Yul Brenner in the film Cool Runnings. For the newer school, He appeared as Gavin in the 2007 Tyler Perry film Why Did I Get Married? and its 2010 sequel Why Did I Get Married Too?. In 2015, he joined the cast of Lee Daniels’ Empire as Vernon Turner.
Malik is the father of 3 children.

The Impact of Fatherhood on a Daughter’s Motivation to Succeed.

Nzinga Braswell is the youngest daughter of the Fathers Incorporated's CEO, Kenneth Braswell. She is the owner of HerFace Beauty. Today's conversation tackles the nuances of Fatherhood and Girls. 

Understanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Responsible Fatherhood

The need for a conversation on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the field of Responsible Fatherhood is much overdue. Today's guest is Dr. Matisa Wilbon, co-owner of Wibon Enterprises and Lead Researcher for Fathers Incorporated