“So I resolved many years ago that it was my obligation to break the cycle—that if I could be anything in life, I would be a good father to my girls; that if I could give them anything, I would give them that rock—that foundation—on which to build their lives. And that would be the greatest gift I could offer.” —President Barack Obama, Fathers Day 2008 speech at Apostolic Church of God
After Kenrya Rankin Naasel saw the president commit himself to the cause with the President’s Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative and after marrying a man who takes the work of being a daddy as seriously her own “I was inspired to find more women whose lives had been impacted by strong Black fathers. Bet on Black: African-American Women Celebrate Fatherhood in the Age of Barack is the result” says Rankin.
On the pages of this lyrical anthology, 20 women gather to swap the stereotype-busting stories of their fathers, grandfathers, husbands and best friends, inviting readers to join the conversation and honor the men in their lives who made their own resolutions to be the best dads they can be. You’ll meet a young father whose love for his daughters compelled him to care for a wayward “dancer” one crazy night, a man whose fierce determination is the glue that holds together his blended family, and another who used an indiscretion as a catalyst to rededicate himself to his children. Whether you are a fantastic dad, or just adore one, the essays in Bet on Black will forever change the way you view fatherhood in America. more info…
