WASHINGTON D.C. – This Thursday, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Chairwoman of the Caucus on the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, will host a Congressional policy briefing on reclaiming the fatherhood narrative for Black men. In honor of Father’s Day, Congresswoman Wilson will honor the fathers of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). In addition, she will also induct the new members of the CBC into the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project as role models with the help of CBC role model mentors.

Black fathers were mischaracterized and stereotyped as missing, absent, and disengaged. However, recent research by the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has deconstructed the myth of the missing Black father. The policy briefing examines the findings of this research and convenes a panel of experts to discuss policy initiatives that empower Black fathers and pushes back on this false narrative. Harmful stereotypes and myths about Black fathers have rendered them invisible, an issue that holds true in the United States Congress, where policy aiding Black fathers is non-existent.

In 2013, the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published a national study demonstrating that Black fathers were more involved in their children’s lives than their White and Hispanic counterparts. According to the CDC, Black fathers were likelier to diaper, bathe, dress, and read to their children than fathers from other racial groups. A 2023 study on adolescents indicated that Black fathers were just as involved in their adolescent children’s lives as men from other groups, prompting the author to refer to the absent Black father as a “myth.” While research has demonstrated that Black fathers are just as involved, if not more involved, in the lives of their children as fathers from other racial groups, Black fathers are far more likely to die from gun violence, be affected by mass incarceration, and have a lower life expectancy than fathers from other racial groups. Black fathers continue to experience heightened levels of unemployment and discrimination, and studies show that Black fathers are 1.5 times more likely to suffer from depression than the general population.

Join the Caucus on the Commission for the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson, the Vice Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, researchers, and thought leaders as we highlight policy supporting Black fathers and “Reclaim Fatherhood for Black Men.”

WHERE TO GO:

WHO: Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson, Chair and founder of the Caucus on the Commission for the Social Status of Black Men and Boys

• Congressman James Clyburn, Commissioner of the Caucus on the Commission for the Social Status of Black Men and Boys

• Ricky Lewis, Vice Grand Basileus for Omega Psi Phi

• Dr. Jay Fagan, Professor Emeritus at Temple University and author of research on Black fathers

• Dr. Ivory Toldson, Professor at Howard University

• Rev. Dr. Ronald Hopson, Professor at Howard University (Moderator)

• Joleena Louis, Family Court and Divorce Attorney

• Glen Henry, Influencer and Host of Beleaf in Fatherhood

WHAT: Discussion on reclaiming the fatherhood narrative for Black men

WHEN: Thursday, June 22 at 3 PM

WHERE: U.S. Capitol Building, South Congressional Meeting Room (CVC 217)

RSVP: All media RSVP to karol.molinares@mail.house.gov