Let's Listen to What Black Dads Have to Say About Fatherhood

What would happen if we stopped asking where Black fathers were and listened to them instead?
We would hear their stories of building loving families through intentional parenting and mindful partnerships...
... of navigating life’s ups and downs with grace, grit, and humor,
... of raising a generation of Black kids who will be seen and heard.
We would hear how much they love being dads.
In a video we created in partnership with stroller company Colugo, three dads-and one dad-to-be!-explore what fatherhood means to them outside of the stereotype of "the Absent Black Father."
(Which, by the way, is a myth that has been debunked: The majority of Black children live at home with their fathers, and a CDC study found that Black fathers are more active in their children's lives than white and Hispanic fathers, regardless of whether or not they live with their kids.)
Source: www.newsweek.com/absent-black...

[@reallife0728]

THESE ARE THE HUSBANDS & FATHERS I'M ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT!!!!! QUALITY BLACK MEN SPEAKING ON LOVE,,,FAMILY,,,RESPONSIBILITY & ACCOUNTABILITY!!!!!💯💯💯💯

[@jeffrobodine7733]

We need a real platform like this to hear our voice! I applaud these men and the women that put this on display. I’m a father of 10 and I’ve been with my wife 25 years of my 43 here on earth (15 married) and it’s very refreshing ❤️❤️

[@matermea]

Yes, there really does need to be more spaces for dads to hear their voices! Thank you so much for watching, and for sharing a bit of your story with us!

[@LOrealThompson]

My dad is my #1 fan, so grateful for him and his support throughout my life!

[@matermea]

One time for the daddy's girls, of which I am a card-carrying member as well.

[@TheTravelingChild]

I absolutely love this, we NEED more positive footage of Black dads, they exist very much so and I'm so tired of the stereotypes played out in the media. Thank you for this!!!

[@matermea]

So over the stereotypes! Glad to put some more positivity out there.

[@tansymcnulty1143]

Love this!! So inspiring to hear these Dads discuss Fatherhood so transparently!! 🥰🥰🥰

[@matermea]

We agree 100%! Loved hearing your husband's story!

[@tabari99]

It's so important to hear from Black dads in the parenting space. My husband really enjoyed this video and could see himself having these same experiences. We look forward to more content from dads in the future.

[@matermea]

So important, and we're so glad we were able to provide these men the space to be heard and seen!

[@brendafadeyibi2385]

I really enjoyed this video. It is refreshing to see Black fathers loving on their families and not painted in the usual negative stereotypical light. I loved hearing them talk about when they initially found out about becoming fathers and how so many of them are trying to do better and break generational curses for their kids.

[@matermea]

Thank you so much for watching, Brenda! Those were some of our favorite moments, too!

[@ylondagault6380]

Love this so much - we need more Black dad stories, the ups and downs, losses

[@matermea]

Yes to all of this! Their vulnerability and experiences need to be heard too.

[@saraweiss]

I loved watching this video and hearing more from the dad's POV. We don't get this enough! I found it especially touching to hear the dad who discussed miscarriage -- made me realize we often don't hear from men on the topic.

[@matermea]

We really don't! As soon as Dedrian shared that his wife's first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, we knew we had to circle around and ask more about that for that exact reason. Thank you for watching!

[@colleenmurphey6298]

Loved this! So many moments in this made me smile so hard - still grinning over the how-we-met stories. Loved the thoughtful and powerful advice for supporting your emotional health as a new father.

[@matermea]

Those stories were so adorable, we were squealing the entire time lol!

[@taayoomurray2771]

It's just so great seeing these amazing examples of Black fatherhood😍

[@matermea]

Yesssss! So great!

[@SatyaNelms]

I love this! What a beautiful, expansive look at Black fatherhood!

[@matermea]

Thank you so much! It was a beautiful conversation to witness!

[@TheMomTrotter]

This is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing this 🥰

[@matermea]

We loved making it, thank you for watching!

[@scottfried3693]

mater mea always does such incredible work, and this is no exception! Thank you for sharing this!

[@matermea]

Thank you very much!

[@judithohikuare3404]

I don't have kids and I'm not in a relationship-so not even in the demographic for this!-but I really enjoyed this video and learned a lot. It's cool and strangely reassuring to hear of so many different experiences and parenting styles that all have the same basis in love, care, and thoughtfulness.

[@matermea]

You nailed it completely-that common core of "love, care, and thoughtfulness" links a lot of parents regardless of their lived experiences and parenting styles! Thank you for watching!

[@emmanuelakitunde9595]

Yes, love seeing us in this light! Keep coming with the content 💪🏿

[@matermea]

Thank you! Will do!

[@leecrockett7069]

Love love love this! So beautiful to watch!

[@matermea]

Thank you so much!

[@tracyramey7564]

I love all of these perspectives!

[@matermea]

So many different experiences all unified by their love for their kids and desire to be great fathers. We love to see it!

[@caitlinparton5911]

Thank you for sharing these stories!

[@matermea]

Loved hearing these men's stories too, thank you for watching!

[@emilazzo]

This is SO freakin beautiful!

[@matermea]

We've lost count of how many times we've teared up watching this! Thank you for watching!

[@victorialiu4239]

Love these stories!

[@matermea]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@leighbutler6280]

This is a beautiful video! Very well done!

[@matermea]

Thank you so much, Leigh! Really appreciate your kind words and support!

[@coriepope2976]

Love this!

[@matermea]

Thank you! We do too!

[@blackmomsconnection9949]

Very important video and message of positive Black parenting!

[@matermea]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@ABROOKLYNBABE]

I love this so much, it's so important to hear from Black fathers.

[@matermea]

So so true!

[@dancinanae]

Grateful for mater mea and for this sharing.

[@matermea]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting!

[@sassyrojo]

Love hearing the love in this video.

[@matermea]

So much love!