5 Black Fathers Share Their Experience With Fatherhood

Despite limited depictions of Black fathers in mainstream media, we all know great Black dads. A good father is one who is patient. He is a provider and respected figure. From the leader of our own families to the men we’ve watched evolve into fathers, fatherhood looks good on Black men.

This Father’s Day we’re spotlighting five Black fathers who are holding down their households as powerhouse parents.

Steven York, 37, 2 Children 

What do you love about being a father?

You can be in the worst mood, and having the worst day ever, but when you see your family with open arms — so excited to see you, you forget about everything else.

What is the most rewarding part about being a father?

The love that you receive from your children is like no other. The way they look up to me.

What has fatherhood taught you?

I thought I knew what unconditional love was, but I found the real meaning when I had my kids.

John Moody, 37, 2 Children

What do you love about being a father?

The thing I love most is the look they give me. They look at me with such admiration and belief like I’m superman. 

What is the most rewarding part about being a father?

The most rewarding part about being a father is no matter how I’m feeling, what I’m dealing with, what’s going on in the outside, my kids bring me peace.

What has fatherhood taught you?

Fatherhood has taught me patience, listening and communication skills such as tone, delivery, verbiage. It’s also taught me a new sense of awareness, that I’m always being watched, so I carry myself better because I know my sons emulate me.

Elliot John, 36, 3 Children

What do you love about being a father?

What I love most about being a father is seeing my kids in good spirits. The fact they call me and spend all my money – I don’t even care! They always make me proud and tell me how much they love me.

What is the most rewarding part about being a father?

The most rewarding part about being a dad is raising my kids in a good home. Now I’m getting ready to watch them grow into adulthood and become something in life. Knowing that I made a positive impact on my child’s life and helping them reach that next level in life. 

What has fatherhood taught you?

Fatherhood has honestly taught me how to be a better person and a better father. Without my kids I honestly wouldn’t know what direction my life would go in. I’m glad they’re here because I learned so much from them and it helped shaped me to be the man I am today. I’m grateful for them.

William Morris IV, 35, One Child

What do you love about being a father?

I love knowing that I have someone looking up to me and depending on me to show her love. It gives me a deeper understanding on how to love and an added responsibility and motivation knowing I have my daughter depending on me.

What is the most rewarding part about being a father?

The most rewarding part is the joy I get from having her in my life. It’s rewarding getting to see her growth and evolution. 

What has fatherhood taught you?

Fatherhood has taught me to be more patient in life. It taught me to try to understand people more instead of judging because we don’t know how other people were raised and brought up.

Bernard Smalls, 42, 1 Child

What do you love about being a father?

I love the responsibility of seeing that smile every morning when I come into the nursery to feed him. I love seeing that joy in his big ole eyes, and just bonding with him every day, building our father/son connection. 

What is the most rewarding part about being a father? 

The newfound purpose that it has brought to my life. That same purpose is something that I didn’t know I wanted, and something I didn’t know I absolutely needed to better myself mentally. 

What has fatherhood taught you? 

It has taught me to be a man on another level. It has taught me a love I never experienced before. Fatherhood has taught me how to be a better protector and partner to my girlfriend.