Read Across America

Monday, I participated in a Read Across America celebration, sponsored by the Durham Association of Educators at Northgate Mall. Often, I go places and the children have never heard of the Million Man March. But this time, a young man proudly shared that it was a gathering where a million men stood as one.

Then, I asked if anyone had heard of the 1963 March on Washington. Hands shot up all around. "Dr. King was there," one girl exclaimed. Another one shouted out the title of his famous speech: "I Have a Dream." I asked if they knew that Rosa Parks, Dr. Dorothy I. Height and Rev. Jesse Jackson were not just at the March on Washington, but at the Million Man March too. Their faces showed delight and surprise.

When the children saw a slide show of images from the Million Man March, their mouths gaped as they took in the sea of men who came together that amazing day. They nudged each other and pointed at the screen. They stared in amazement and smiled wide. The spirit of the March swelled their hearts with pride.

Most Memorable Moment with My Father contest

The entries are in. I'm so moved by the wonderful essays children wrote for the Most Memorable Moment with My Father contest (http://www.justusbooks.com/modules/content/index.php?id=87) launched to honor outstanding men and celebrate the publication of One Million Men and Me. In a couple months, Just Us Books will announce the first and second place winners in each age category. But every child who entered is a winner. So are the men.

I felt such a lift reading the essays. There were stories of dads who took kids to amusement parks and fishing, fathers who bought daughters their first bouquet of roses and danced with them at father-daughter banquets, grand-daddies and uncles who treated young people to movies, taught them family history and checked their homework.


Then, there were other stories -- children who longed for a connection with their dads. They wrote about wanting someone to pick them up and whirl them in the air, someone to make them feel safe and wrap them in fatherly love. Just as these children revealed the ache they felt when a father wasn't around, they offered thanks for having other positive men in their lives -- brothers, mentors, teachers, preachers -- who stood in the gap and gave them the affirmation they needed.


Thank you for sharing your stories! It's said that sons need fathers. Daughters do too. Children soar when good men are a part of their lives.


So cheers to all of the wonderful dads and men who put in the work every day, who are committed to being there for children. The wounds of missing a daddy run deep. So do the rewards of having a father or father-figure around. Studies have shown that kids with positive men in their lives do better in school, their self esteem and joy rises.


Part of the beauty of the Million Man March was its focus on fortifying the family and transforming lives. Men came together to make a difference. I am proud One Million Men and Me celebrates that spirit.


The writing contest gave children the chance to pay homage to the wonderful men who make their lives brighter. Here is a memory of a great man, my grand-dad Thurman Starling (pictured above), who enriched mine:


One of my most memorable moments with my grand-dad was reading him essays and stories I wrote for school. He would close his eyes as he soaked in my words. Sometimes, he'd listen in silence. Other times, he'd murmur "mm-hmm" or "that's alright." When the last word hung in the air, Grand-dad would open his eyes and grin. With one raised eyebrow, he'd offer the kicker: "Are you sure you wrote that?"

Every time, I would laugh and reply, "Yes, Grand-daddy." It was our joke and a special compliment. He would pull me close and hug me. In his arms, I felt such affirmation and love. My grand-dad was a smart, caring man who didn't get a chance to finish college but devoted his life to learning and growing. He passed that quest for knowledge onto me. Receiving praise from him was like being showered with sunshine. It kept me writing and believing I was on the right path.


Thank you, Grand-dad, for being there.

Here are some organizations, events and publications that celebrate fathers and children and help their connection thrive:

http://www.fatherhood.org/
http://www.blackstarproject.com/
http://www.coachtonypierceoutreach.org/
http://www.proudpoppa.net/
http://www.daddyuniversecity.com/