Showing solidarity
‘Dad Gang’ breaks down stereotypes during Father’s Day march
COURIER LIFE, JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2021 33
BY DEAN MOSES
The “Dad Gang” took
names and changed diapers
on Father’s Day in Brooklyn.
The proactive group of
community leaders took over
the entranceway to Prospect
Park by the Grand Army Plaza
to put a stop to the myth that
Black fathers are absent from
their children’s lives.
June 20 not only marked Father’s
Day, but it also marked
the second March of Dads
rally, where dozens of fathers
strode through the streets by
Prospect Park with their children
in hand, in strollers, and
on their shoulders. The march
highlighted men of color
within the community who
enthusiastically defy racial
stereotypes by playing pivotal
roles within the family unit.
The Dad Gang was founded
in 2016 by Sean Williams after
he created an Instagram page
exclusively focusing on images
depicting active fathers
of color to eliminate negative
stereotypes that plague Black
and Brown men. The idea for
this spotlight came after a person
approached Williams with
his child, stating “I’m glad you
stuck around.”
“The reason why we’ve
come together is to show solidarity
because Black fathers
are involved in their children’s
lives. Black fathers are very,
very active and that’s why
we’ve come together to walk
with our brothers,” Bronx
Councilman Kevin Riley said,
describing the occasion as an
opportunity for Black fathers
to connect and support one another.
Brooklyn Borough President
and mayoral candidate
Eric Adams also joined the
event alongside iconic rapper
Fat Joe, and other communitybased
groups working to show
the world the true perspective
of Black fathers.
The activists and elected offi
cials present called for more
organizational support for
young Black men as they enter
fatherhood, providing mentorship,
education, networking,
and other resources to help
encourage them to be the best
dad they can possibly be.
“This is a refl ective moment,
just one day after Juneteenth,”
Adams said. “Brothers,
we need to be honest about
The “Dad Gang” ready to break down racial stereotypes at the group’s
second “March of Dads” rally (top) as fathers bonded with their children.
Photos by Dean Moses
what’s going on, not only in
America, but globally. At the
fabric of this country, it’s
about breaking Black boys to
become broken adolescents, to
becoming broken young men,
to becoming broken young fathers.
That’s what it has always
been. People get upset
when I say it, but I am unapologetic
about acknowledging
the history of this country.”
He added that Black men
experience the most incarceration
and unemployment, and
are the primary victims of
shootings, arrests, while also
the largest group dealing with
mental health issues in this
country.
In addition to breaking
down stereotypes, the march
afforded attendees an opportunity
to bond with their
children while also offering
support to fellow dads. On
Saturday, coordinators sponsored
a giveaway, donating 200
strollers in Brooklyn, Queens,
and the Bronx.
The reason why
we’ve come together
is to show solidarity
because Black
fathers are involved
in their children’s
lives.