Black Daddies Club (BDC), would like to thank our sponsors Shelley Cares Foundation and Shea Moisture Canada, who helped us support more than 60 (plus) families during Father’s Day 2020. Your contributions not only supported fathers and their families connected to the Dadsfest Father’s Day event. Through our sponsors contribution we were able to help provide additional supports to families through African Food Basket and Black Creek Community Farm, who are doing phenomenal work around food security in the City of Toronto.
The Dadsfest Father’s Day event was spectacular and special thanks to Ujima House (Young Potential Fathers) for asking BDC to collaborate with them on the project. Special thanks to all agencies and individuals who were involved, notable mentions to Dwayne Morgan, More Than A Haircut project, KnewMe book project, Dalton Higgins, Lions Circle, Benjamin Degraaf, Brother Kofi and the other individuals that played a collective role in putting together a very necessary event.
Thank you to all the Black Fathers who submitted your photos with you and your children. Black Daddies Club appreciates you and it is men like you all that inspires the work that we continue to do after 13 years.
Ryerson University (WeSpeak Research project) and Black Daddies Club collaborates for the second time in 2020 for “Returning Home: Online conversations for Black men (Summer edition)
Where are Black men going to process and digest the pain and uncertainty that has come up for a lot of folks during this Covid-19 pandemic?
A lot of our places of congregation such as gyms, barbershops, places of worship has been closed and for a lot of us these places are our non-traditional therapeutic spaces where we go to heal. During this pandemic, a lot of us have lost these spaces where as Black men we could be intimate with other Black men with our stories and our experiences and not feel isolated. However, I recognized one of my strategies for coping during the Covid-19 pandemic was to numb myself and not give the opportunity to feel the pain that was seeping-in (regardless how much I tried not to feel it) over the weeks and months as there was a multitude of images online showing violence being placed on Black and Indigenous bodies around North America.
Returning Home online discussions are follow up dialogues to the Black Men Speaking their Truths discussions, A three part series which was held in Toronto during the months January, February and March 2020. Returning Home summer discussion series will be held in the month of July 2020, here are the descriptions of the two discussions, hope you will be able to join the dialogue or tell a Black man who could benefit from the dialogue.
1st Dialogue Description: Finding home within ourselves
This event focuses on Black men “finding home within ourselves”. The themes that will be discussed here deal with men’s individual coping strategies including feelings, thoughts, behaviours, and actions.
We will explore how we can promote and maintain our good best possible health and well-being regardless of current circumstances.
2nd Dialogue Description: Finding home with others
While the first event looks inwards, this one explores Black men “finding home with others”. Particularly, with other Black men, family and friends, and the broader community centered on love, compassionate relationship building, and solidarity.
Also, what community resources are needed to support Black men’s general wellbeing?
Keep posted for more information in the coming weeks.
My daughter told me about this club and encouraged me to participate in the campaign. I am sharing these two pictures in honour of Black Fathers. Thanks for this great initiative. I AM A PROUD BLACK FATHER! Alaric Mitchell
Shamere Gentles was an extremely proud and loving father of 3 incredible children. There are few people in life that leave a lasting impression on you — the father in these photos was always charismatic, charming, uplifting and positive. He always had a smile on his face, motivating words and a humble attitude. We, his family, promise to always make sure his children know how much he loved them. Gone, but never forgotten. Happy Father’s Day, Shamere.
I am a son, brother, nephew, uncle, husband and father. I am a financial advisor, consultant and public speaker. I have been licensed to provide insurance and investment solutions for over 15 years. However, I specialize in increasing cash flow for my professional and business clients. I increase cash flow by decreasing personal income tax liabilities, drafting schedules to retire debt obligations faster and by offering a proprietary investment solution that provides an above average rate of return with lower risk. Ideal for retirees and investors that are “parking” their money.
