Many people grew up without fathers around. For some, it was an untimely death, others incarceration. I know of friends who had a father in the military.For me, I grew up with a father who couldn't and didn't live up to his responsibilities. I spent the majority of my life without my dad, by his choice.So, when people ask me to reflect on my father during that time of year, I get a little resentful. I still remember a second grade project I was required to complete. It was a Father's Day card. I told my teacher that I didn't have a father at home. The teacher said that didn't matter. I … [Read more...]
About Christopher Persley
A ‘Heart 2 Heart’ Fatherhood Talk with Michael Strahan
DISCLOSURE: We would like to thank Meta health and wellness products for providing us the opportunity to promote its "Heart 2 Heart" campaign.Every parent should have an occasionally heart-to-heart talk with his or her kids, and there's no better time than February which is National Heart Health Month. There's also no reason a child can't have that same talk with his parent which is just what pro football Hall of Famer and talk show host Michael Strahan does, chatting with his father, Gene, in the new campaign for Meta.City Dads Group co-founder Lance Somerfeld and NYC Dads Group … [Read more...]
“Dr. King, I Will Not Stand Quietly”
Dear Dr. King,Happy Birthday, Sir. It's that time of year again when Americans spend time celebrating your enduring legacy. What a legacy it is! Thank you for your efforts, your determination, your confidence, and your focus. I promise you that I will not spend this time on some luxurious weekend skiing or sunning. I will spend this time paying proper tribute to all that you sacrificed to help make my current family an honest reality.You know what, Dr. King? I don't just think about you for a couple of days or weeks in January. I try to do some level of this good work 365, 24/7. I … [Read more...]
Shooting, ‘Blackness’ Makes Father Fear for Daughter
Dear Camilla,I'm writing this letter to you because I'm hurting, and I want you to understand why. I'm writing this because I hope it will help me gain some solace. Something happened that has affected me in a way that I'm trying my best to deal with, Camilla. On June 17, in Charleston, South Carolina, in these United States of America, a man entered a place of worship, Mother Emanuel AME Church, shot and murdered nine people. Nine innocent people who were there to worship their lord. This man entered and apparently took advantage of the generosity and warmth of these worshippers and … [Read more...]
Disney Made a ‘Cinderella’ Dads, Children Will Admire
Nearly five dozen NYC Dads Group members and their families went to "the ball" Sunday at AMC 25 Empire theaters off Times Square to watch a preview of Disney's new live action Cinderella movie on a gigantic IMAX screen.An abundance of smiles could be seen on both young and old faces in the crowd of approximately 250 attendees, the largest “meetup” in the NYC Dads Group’s six-year history. There was something quite beautiful about being in a room full of families, which also included families from the Baby Buggy Fatherhood Initiative that encourages men to be active and responsible dads. … [Read more...]