via Facebook
There is a dark cloud following Black men in America — a fog of stereotypes that undermines the truth about African-American fatherhood. But thanks to the “Black Fathers” Facebook page, a more positive portrayal of Black parenting is gaining traction, Yahoo! Parenting reports.
With 10,000 followers, the Black Fathers Facebook group allows members to share photos of heartwarming “daddy and daughter/son” moments to “change the narrative of what it means to be a Black father in America,” page creator Matt Prestbury said.
It all started when Prestbury, a kindergarten teacher, got custody of his two- and three-year-old sons after divorcing his wife 12 years ago. As a single father, Prestbury said he needed support. “…I knew that I wanted to build a brotherhood in a sense — and I didn’t see anything else like that out there,” the 39-year-old Baltimore resident said.
To fill the void, Prestbury launched Black Fathers seven years ago.
“I wanted to create a virtual space where fathers could come together and be a resource for each other — and help break lot of stereotypes to change the narrative of what it means to be a Black father in America,” he said. “There used to be the perception that fathers, and in particular Black fathers, all abandon their children. But I wanted to have stories represented like mine, where the fathers are actively involved in their kids’ lives.”
Prestbury noted that fatherhood was never a topic of discussion among his male friends. He created the Black Fathers Facebook page in hopes of impelling a conversation about parenting.
At first, the Facebook group was a page for parents to meet up for casual playground dates, but as more followers joined the page, Black Fathers became “the agent of change,” Yahoo! added. The group has an active discussion board, offers workshops, and more resources for men seeking advice about custody and other family affairs.
There are events, too. Recently, the group out on a “hip-hop and spoken word celebration” with artists who rap about fatherhood. There was also “Daddy & a Movie” — an outdoor film series that was free of cost.
“I want to make fatherhood the coolest thing in the world so that everybody wants to be a dad,” Prestbury said.
“It’s such a great feeling to know that I have created something that has helped people connect to one another. It warms my heart.” he added.
Prestbury is now re-married and currently fathering four children.
