Commentary

COMMENTARY: Time to salute all of the incredible Black fathers in America

NEW PITTSBURGH COURIER — African American fathers are the cornerstone of our culture, the rock on which our strength is built and the moral compass of a confused, amoral society.

Published

7 years ago

June 17, 2019

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By Vernon A. Williams

African American fathers are the cornerstone of our culture, the rock on which our strength is built and the moral compass of a confused, amoral society.

When I grew up on 22nd and Madison Street in Gary, Indiana, almost every home enjoyed a patriarchal head of household. Most of them were mill workers who didn’t hesitate to put in overtime in sweltering blast furnaces to satisfy the needs of their family.

There was also Officer Nichols across the street and Gary Police Sgt. LaBroi around the corner on Jefferson Street along with Mr. Latimore whose son, Michael, was my classmate from first grade at Garnett and Eric Calhoun’s dad.

In one stretch of homes on the block, there was Bishop Jennings on the north side, Pastor Williams in the middle and Reverend Butler next door in the other direction. Apostolic, Baptist and African Methodist Episcopal – all in a row.

My friends and I had sports heroes like Gale Sayers of the Bears, “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks, AND national superstars Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain. Most boys had visions of playing professional sports – no matter how marginal their talent. But those were just sports figures – not role models. We had plenty of those on the block.

Every father I knew growing up echoed the sentiment that they worked hard, dirty, thankless, jobs so their children would not have to do the same. What greater display of moral authority than to sacrifice ONE’S life for the betterment of the next generation. These fathers had few indulgences, few luxuries. It was all about taking care of the family.

Fatherly discipline was rigid on Madison Street. It was rib-splitting hilarious to stand outside an apartment hearing someone get a whipping – until that someone was you.

Our apartments were built close together, separated by a few feet of sidewalk called “gangways” in between. There were no Madison Street mansions, but there was no squalor. The dominate three-story apartments were modest but sufficient, clean and well kept. If you had a yard, lawns were manicured. Small as the area in back of my house, my father still managed to maintain a stunning, tiny rose garden. His “green thumb” was amazing. Every potted plot he touched flourished. He didn’t, however, PASS that particular gene down to me (PERIOD)

The greater point is, growing up we all learned the essence of fatherly responsibility not by words or lecture but by example. Son of a steelworker and part-time domestic worker mother and I never went a day hungry, or without lights or heat, or homeless.

You may not have gotten all the things you begged for in that stage of early childhood, but without even having the capacity to recognize it, you were never deprived of any of your every need. You took for granted that when you turned a faucet, there would be water, hot or cold as needed.

All the fathers on my street acknowledged God first. They were unashamedly men who believed prayer changes things.

So fast forward a few decades and most of those children are fathers, some grandfathers, a handful great grandfathers. The principles taught early lingered.

I could not be more proud of the fathers that I see today in my old friends, classmates from Roosevelt High School and Indiana University, colleagues I worked alongside over the years, brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and those men with whom I collaborated over the years with Indiana Black Expo.

The distinguished men of God at Mt. Zion Apostolic Church in Indianapolis–beginning with Bishop Lambert W. Gates Sr. – exude quintessential Godly fatherhood.

So many young Black men are stepping up to the challenge of quality parenting in impressive fashion. And every brother that I know primarily through social media who proudly stresses social media POSTS that focus on family ties, you too stand tall.

All of the committed, loving Black fathers throughout the U.S. represent the best manhood this nation has to offer.

May the Lord continue to strengthen, guide and bless each of you. Happy FATHER’S Day!

CIRCLE CITY CONNECTION by Vernon A. Williams is a series of essays on myriad topics that include social issues, human interest, entertainment and profiles of difference-makers who are forging change in a constantly evolving society. Williams is a 40-year veteran journalist based in Indianapolis, IN – commonly referred to as The Circle City. Send comments or questions to: vernonawilliams@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared in the New Pittsburgh Courier.

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Activism

Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

16 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

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Activism

2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Assemblymember Lori Wilson — Advocate for Equity, the Environment, and More

Her rise has also included several historic firsts: she is the only Black woman ever appointed to lead the influential Assembly Transportation Committee, and the first freshman legislator elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. She has also been a vocal advocate for vulnerable communities, becoming the first California legislator to publicly discuss being the parent of a transgender child — an act of visibility that has helped advanced representation at a time when political tensions related to social issues and culture have intensified.

Published

17 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). File photo.

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) joined the California Legislature in 2022 after making history as Solano County’s first Black female mayor, bringing with her a track record of fiscal discipline, community investment, and inclusive leadership.

She represents the state’s 11th Assembly District, which spans Solano County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties.

California Black Media spoke with Wilson about her successes and disappointments this year and her outlook for 2026.

What stands out as your most important achievement this year?

Getting SB 237 passed in the Assembly. I had the opportunity to co-lead a diverse workgroup of colleagues, spanning a wide range of ideological perspectives on environmental issues.

How did your leadership contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians this year?

The Black Caucus concentrated on the Road to Repair package and prioritized passing a crucial bill that remained incomplete during my time as chair, which establishes a process for identifying descendants of enslaved people for benefit eligibility.

What frustrated you the most this year?

The lack of progress made on getting Prop 4 funds allocated to socially disadvantaged farmers. This delay has real consequences. These farmers have been waiting for essential support that was promised. Watching the process stall, despite the clear need and clear intent of the voters, has been deeply frustrating and reinforces how much work remains to make our systems more responsive and equitable.

What inspired you the most this year?

The resilience of Californians persists despite the unprecedented attacks from the federal government. Watching people stay engaged, hopeful, and determined reminded me why this work matters and why we must continue to protect the rights of every community in our state.

What is one lesson you learned this year that will inform your decision-making next year?

As a legislator, I have the authority to demand answers to my questions — and accept nothing less. That clarity has strengthened my approach to oversight and accountability.

In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians are facing currently?

Affordability and access to quality educational opportunities.

What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2026?

Advance my legislative agenda despite a complex budget environment. The needs across our communities are real, and even in a tight fiscal year, I’m committed to moving forward policies that strengthen safety, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life for the people I represent.

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Activism

2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, Champion of Reparations, Housing and Workers’ Rights

In 2025, McKinnor pushed forward legislation on renters’ protections, re-entry programs, reparations legislation, and efforts to support Inglewood Unified School District. She spoke with California Black Media about the past year and her work. Here are her responses.

Published

17 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood). File photo.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) represents

California’s 61st Assembly District.

As a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC),

McKinnor was elected in 2022. She chairs the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation and leads the Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee. McKinnor also served as a civic engagement director, managed political campaigns, and worked as chief of staff for former Assemblymembers Steven Bradford and Autumn Burke.

Looking back on 2025, what do you see as your biggest win?

Assembly Bill (AB) 628. If rent is $3,000, people should at least have a stove and a refrigerator. It’s ridiculous that people were renting without basic appliances.

I’m also proud that I was able to secure $8.4 million in the state budget for people coming home from incarceration. That includes the Homecoming Project, the menopause program for incarcerated women, and the Justice Leaders Program.

How did your leadership help make life better for Black Californians this year?

After the Eaton Fire, I pushed to get the same kind of support for affected areas that wealthier regions get after disasters.

I also did a lot of work building political power— establishing the Black Legacy PAC and California for All of Us PAC so we could support Black candidates and educate voters. We also called voters to make sure they understood Prop 50.

People need to understand this: there are only 12 Black legislators in the Capitol. Folks act like we can just walk in and pass reparations, but that’s not how it works.

What frustrated you most this year?

The governor did not have the political will to sign these bills: AB 57 and AB 62. They both passed overwhelmingly in the Assembly and the Senate. We did the work. The only person who didn’t have the political will to sign them was the governor.

The public needs to ask the governor why he didn’t sign the bills. We can’t keep letting people off the hook. He has to answer.

I also introduced AB 51 — the bill to eliminate interest payments on Inglewood Unified School District’s long-standing state loan — held in the Appropriations Committee. That was frustrating,

What inspired you most in 2025?

The civil rights trip to Alabama was life changing. We visited the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. We took members of the Black, Latino, Jewish, and API caucuses with us. It changed all of us.

People aren’t always against us — they just don’t know our history.

What’s one lesson from 2025 that will shape how you approach decisions next year?

The legislative trip to Norway taught me that collaboration matters. Government, labor, and industry sit down together there. They don’t make villains. Everybody doesn’t get everything they want, but they solve problems.

What’s the biggest challenge facing Black Californians in one word?

Inequity. It shows up in housing, wealth, stress – all these things.

What’s the number one goal you want to accomplish in 2026?

Bringing back AB 57 and AB 62, and securing money for the Inglewood Unified loan interest forgiveness.