Do Black Fathers Face Unique Problems?

How are the problems of fatherhood involvement among African Americans uniquely different yet similar to problems of father involvement among fathers from other racial/ethnic groups with similar socio-economic issues?

Where are all the stay-at-home African American dads?

Why do we do a double-take when we see a Black father pushing a baby stroller? Or carry his daughter on his shoulders at a park? Even though these dads are not really doing anything exceptional, the absence of Black fathers in many families has left a void so permanent, that these everyday activities are now seen in a totally different light.
However, there are millions of loving Black dads out there. New fathers and fathers-to-be who welcome their rites of fatherhood with pure joy. Fathers like the one profiled in our featured content from the documentary “I am a Man.” Check it out here: www.2025bmb.org

Do you think more images and stories of Black fatherhood in today’s media – from rap lyrics to romantic comedies – would have an effect on the real social situations we are confronted with? Can art make a difference where policy fails?

Welcome!

The 2025 Campaign is leveraging the online world of social networks and user-generated content by setting up various BMB Satellites around the web, orbiting the home site at 2025bmb.org. This is the place where we’ll be leading the discussion of educational issues that affect Black men and boys, overseen by Roundtable member Waldo E. Johnson, Jr. of the University of Chicago. Dr. Johnson will be posting compelling and relevant topics for debate and commentary to this site, and we invite you to participate. Those who submit the liveliest and most insightful posts will be invited to extend their ideas in a more formal setting for feature on the main 2025 Campaign website.