At 55, you “retired” as an Assistant Principal in the NYC public schools and “rewired” into your full-time commitment to the Real Dads Network that you had started while working full time. Tell us about the genesis of this community for black men who want to support each other as fathers.

Yes, at 55, I made a significant shift in my life. After more than three decades of service in the NYC public school system, I decided to focus my energy on Real Dads Network, a community I had founded while working as an educator. The inspiration for this initiative came from a deeply personal place. I grew up without my father being present and promised myself that I would be there for them if I ever had children. Maria, my wife, and I had our first child, Jordyn, in 1995 and our second child, Maya, in 2000. But the images I continued to see in the media about Black fathers painted us as absent, uninvolved, or “deadbeats.” I knew that wasn’t the whole story. I saw firsthand that many Black fathers were loving, present, and committed and I wanted to show that.

In 2000, I created a documentary called Real Dads: Black Men on Fatherhood. I attempted to share the voices and experiences of positive Black fathers, a group too often overlooked or misrepresented in mainstream media. It was the first documentary to spotlight the positive aspects of Black fatherhood, aiming to inspire hope and optimism in our community.

The documentary opened the door to a more profound calling. I saw how much Black men needed a space to be heard and to connect, grow, and support each other in our father roles.

In 2004, Real Dads Network was born. We started with small gatherings, club-style meetings where men could share their experiences and challenges. Over time, it evolved into something more significant: a safe, empowering, culturally affirming community that celebrated, recognized, and empowered Black fathers.

One of our most meaningful initiatives is Real Dads Week, a powerful, week-long celebration that honors and uplifts the vital role of fathers in their families and communities. Through workshops, panel discussions, community events, and family-centered activities, Real Dads Week creates intentional space for dialogue, learning, healing, and connection. It’s more than a celebration, it’s a movement that challenges stereotypes, amplifies positive narratives, and reaffirms the importance of fatherhood as a foundation for thriving families.

In addition to Real Dads Week, we host the beloved Daddy-Daughter Dance, one of our signature events. This special evening gives fathers the chance to celebrate their bond with their daughters in a joyful, affirming space. It’s a powerful moment that highlights presence, love, and legacy, reminding us that fatherhood is not just about responsibility, but also about relationship.

At Real Dads Network, we are guided by one core truth: when fathers are involved, children succeed. That line isn’t just a slogan, it’s the heart of our mission, and the reason we continue to build spaces where fathers are empowered and families are strengthened.

 At 60, you now spend much of your time on the Real Dads Network.  Tell us what is happening there?

Now, at 60, Real Dads Network is no longer a passion project but the driving force of my work, and it’s growing in incredible ways. We started our Real Dads Club meetings once a month, but it has evolved into a weekly gathering every Thursday. Every Thursday, we hold our Real Dads Club meetings, where fathers come together for open, honest conversations about parenting, relationships, healing, and growth. The topics we cover are diverse, ranging from co-parenting to health and wellness, navigating family court, balancing family life and work, and building generational wealth. It’s real talk with real support, and it’s making a real difference. We have not missed a meeting in five years, and we now have fathers joining the calls from around the country, creating a powerful national community of support and connection.

Now that I can dedicate more of my time to the network, we’ve expanded opportunities for our community. One exciting development is our partnership with Cisco, which is helping some of our dads and families gain access to cybersecurity training and certifications—offering a pathway into a growing tech field. We also engage in health and wellness work, particularly around colon cancer awareness, through partnerships with the New York State Department of Health. We are educating Black and Latino men about the importance of getting screened for colon cancer, a preventable disease.   

One of our most significant milestones was the launch of our Fatherhood and Family Resource Center in East Harlem. It’s a hub for fatherhood programming, wellness support, community events, and more.

What’s your BIG vision for Real Dads Network for the future? And how can people learn more about your mission and what you are doing with the community that you have built?

The big vision is simple but powerful: I want Real Dads Network to be a national model for fatherhood engagement, especially in Black and Brown communities. I envision fatherhood centers in multiple cities, all rooted in the belief that fatherhood is vital and that healing and growth come through community, connection, and purpose.

We want to continue building programs that don’t just support fathers but empower them. That means walking with them, not just providing services but building a community of belonging, strength, and possibility. Black fathers are present, and we care and lead. That’s what Real Dads Network is all about.

To learn more, you can visit us online at www.realdadsnetwork.org and follow us on social media @realdadsnetwork.