Colors of Fatherhood

Ron G is an Emmy-winning producer, actor and comic. In this episode, we discuss him being a brand new father to a three-month old and how his life has ultimately changed as a result. We also talk about his career and how he attributes his faith to his success and he plans to raise his son in this society. In addition, he gives excellent advice to new and up-and-coming fathers.

Eric Dawkins is an award-winning singer, songwriter and producer. In this episode, we discuss his first journey into fatherhood as a young man and some of the challenges he had and how he made it his mission to not have those same things affect him with his son. We also talk about his late father, what it was like growing up in church as a pastor's kid and how music was a constant for him throughout his life.

Shawn William is a poet, an author and an activist. In this episode we how his first induction into fatherhood was being a step-father and how that helped shape how he continued his journey when he had a son of his own. We also took a deep dive into how Shawn was raised as an adopted son, what were the circumstances of his biological mother putting him up for adoption and the lens in which he sees how the world works and ultimately the decisions he makes as a result.

Ryan Nichols is a creative, writer and real-life ninja (no, seriously). In this episode, we discuss how he navigates raising five kids with all different personalities and make-ups. We also talk about his profession and how he is able to incorporate his children to be a part of it.

Marc Henderson is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). In this episode, we talk about Marc being a new dad and how he thought he actually wouldn't be able to have children initially. We also discuss his upbringing  and how that shaped who he is today and the choices he's made. 

Alexander James is a pastor, poet and self-proclaimed nerd. In this episode, we talk about how he fathers his three children with his wife and how he welcomes his children's inquisitive nature. We also discuss his faith and the way he utilizes it when it comes to not only raising his children but being a great husband to his spouse.

Roger Melvin is a stage manager and has his own production company. In this episode, we discuss how his children are a result of a blended family and the steps he has taken to ensure that all of them are treated equally. We also talk about his faith and how he navigates that when raising his family and conducting his business.

Rudy Francisco is an author and one of the most prolific spoken word poets of this generation. In this episode, we discuss his own upbringing from immigrant parents and how even though his own father was present in the home, that didn't translate to him being present in his life. We also talk about his own daughter and how important it is for her to not only be aware of her own identity but also know her father is always going to be there and that he truly loves being her dad.

Troy Crossfield is an actor, writer and filmmaker based in Toronto, Canada. In this episode, we discuss how he navigates the industry he's in and the steps he takes to ensure his children's proper development. We also talk about the demographic of where he lives in Canada and how race and culture come into play with the identity he instills in his children.

Antonio "Paz One" Appling is a restaurateur and founder of the open mic venue "The Definitive Soapbox". In this episode we talk about how he and his wife have exposed their son to traveling early on and how they have incorporated him in duties associated with their business. We also discuss why it is important for him and his wife to make sure they are always good as a couple and so they can ensure that they are good as parents.

Melvin McGuire is a retired police commander as well as a minister at his local church. In this episode, we discuss what it means to be a "girl dad" and also how his former occupation came into play when navigating his parental duties. We also talk about his faith and how that is at the forefront of how he leads his family and how he allowed his daughter to make her own decisions concerning her education.

Mark Winkler is a published author and Child and Family Advocate. In this episode we discuss how he had to fight for custody of his daughter and ultimately why he wrote a book about it. We also talk about how he is in a blended family situation and how he makes a point to show love to all of his daughters equally.

Isaiah Thomas is a truck driver as well as a real estate agent. In this episode, we discuss how important it was for him to have children with the right person. We also talk about his faith and how he wants his children to make their own decision as to what they believe and what they follow.

D.R. Bellard is a theater-trained actor as well as an award-winning filmmaker. In this episode, we discuss how he navigates raising his children while living in a different state. We also talk about how over the years he has strengthened the bond with both his parents and why it was important for him to have his son go to an HBCU.

David Lewis is an emotional intelligence trainer and support group facilitator. In this episode, we discuss some of the stories he's come across with the support group "Dads Uplifting Dads" and the role he has played in being a positive outlet. We also talk about the journey he has had in raising his own son and what steps he has done to ensure a positive outcome.

Dr. Mark Padoongpatt is an Associate Professor and also the Director of Asian and Asian-American studies at the University of Las Vegas. In this episode, we discuss his upbringing with immigrant parents and how he actually grew up non-traditionally. We also talk about his profession and how important it is to have a work/life balance so you can make sure you can give the proper attention to your family.

Aziel Gonsalves is a musician, a producer and a film maker. In this episode, we discuss his approach to fatherhood as well as how he has taken what he's learned from his parents and adopted his familial stance. We also talk about his faith and how he utilizes that in the in the care of his family.

Kwasi Moses aka Chef Kwaz is an award winning chef and also an entrepreneur. In this episode we discuss how he views the family construct as a whole and how important he feels it is overall. We also talk about the differences he has come across when raising his daughters versus raising his son and also how he has instilled how important it is for them to love themselves.

Brandon Leake is a spoken word artist and Season 15 winner of America's Got Talent. In this episode, we discuss raising two small children and how he has discovered the importance of a two-parent household. We also talk about his upbringing and how that has helped shape who he is and why his faith is so important to him.

Carlos Andrés Gómez is a poet, speaker, author, and actor. In this episode, we discuss how he navigates raising his children while being a full-time artist who stays on the road constantly. We also talk about how he integrates his Colombian culture with his children who are also African-American and the steps he takes to make sure they are aware of who the are and how the world sees them.

Damon Martin is a family law attorney and professor. In this episode, we discuss how he and his wife decided to adopt their first child and how he has navigated raising him alongside their daughter. We also talk about some of the experiences he has had in his profession dealing with families and what steps he has taken to improve the system as it stands.

Jason Goncalves is a clothing designer and photographer. As he is not a "traditional" father in the sense of the word, he helped raise his younger brother and also was a father-figure to some of the kids in his neighborhood. We discuss those things in this episode as well as how he dealt with the absence of his own father.

Ed Mabrey is a multi-award winning poet and performer. In this episode, we discuss having a child at a young age and making sacrifices in order to be present in their life. We also talk about learning from mistakes and being able to grow and heal from the past in different ways.

Cory "Besskepp" Cofer is an educator and author who is a native of Stockton, California. In this episode, we discuss how he incorporated counseling when introducing his new partner to his children after his divorce. We also discuss how his job as an educator has shaped a lot of the way he raises his family.

TJ Lanier is Co-Founder of Jumpstart Digital, a full service marketing and PR agency. He is also a worship leader. In this episode, we discuss his entry into fatherhood while he was pursuing a full-time music career in Los Angeles. We also talk about how he navigates being a Caucasian man from the south with an African-American wife and bi-racial children.

Pastor Charles Humphrey is an author and Senior Pastor at Hopes House Christian Ministries in Granada Hills, CA. In this episode, Pastor "Chuck" discusses raising his two girls while not only being a pastor, but also holding a full-time position as an engineer. We also talk about how his entire family has benefited from therapy and the importance of transparency as a parent.

Judah 1 is the inaugural poet laureate of Pomona, CA. In this episode, we discuss the beauty as well as the challenges of being a single father. We also talk about the experiences he has had with his own father and how entering a new relationship has given him a different outlook on the family construct.

Kendrick Dial is a musician as well as a Social Worker trainer. In this episode, we discuss his experience with advocating that fathers are not dismissed automatically when the system becomes involved with their children. We also talk about his own daughter and how his upbringing shaped the way he raises her to be the person she is today.

Gill Sotu is definitely a jack of all trades. He is everything from a teaching artist to a DJ to an event host to a commissioned playwright. In this episode, we break down his philosophy on maintaining peace in his household full of three children under the age of six and how he makes sure to spend quality time with them in the midst of his hectic schedule. We also discuss how his upbringing in a single parent household reminds him about the importance of being present in the home and also making sure that he and his wife teach them about both of the cultures they are a part of.

Jon Hegwood is a United States Army Veteran and cancer survivor. In this episode, we discuss his induction into parenting and how he navigated that as a young single father. We also talk about how the military played a role in his life and how he currently is raising his teenage son as a married man.

Theo Wilson is a Ted Talk speaker as well as an art activist. In this episode, we discuss new fatherhood and everything that comes with that. We also talk about race and culture and that plays into raising his child and also the awareness of that subject as a whole.

Roscoe Burnems is the poet laureate for Richmond, Virginia as well as having a special on Amazon entitled “Traumedy”. In this episode, we talk about his early journey into fatherhood and how it ultimately saved his life. We also discuss his own upbringing and the things he has commissioned to do as a parent raising children in the South.

Jeremy Passion is a singer, songwriter and producer that has traveled to over 36 countries and worked with artists such as Kirk Franklin and Tori Kelly. In this episode, we discuss him first stepping into fatherhood as a "stepfather" and also how he feels he was designed for it. We also talk about he deals with being away from his children and how he has tailored his career to make sure he stays present and fulfills his role as husband and father.

Tshaka Campbell is a lyric writer, author and curator of the show "Beautiful Black Books". In this episode, we discuss raising a family in a bi-coastal situation and some of the challenges that present itself. We also talk about having immigrant parents and how the way they reared children in the household sometimes differ from the tactics that have been implemented by our guest.

Dr. LaMarcus Keys is the Senior Pastor of Life of Victory Worship Center in Oxnard, California. In this episode, we discuss being a husband and father to three girls and also how he toes the line between being a spiritual leader and a dad. We also talk about his own upbringing and how it has had a hand in shaping the man he is today.

Fiveology is a poetry collective consisting of members Shawn William, Prentice Powell, Javon Johnson, Rudy Francisco and Andrew Tyree. On top of doing extraordinary work as a group, they have also won countless awards and been featured on the small and big screen as individuals. In this interview, we dive deep into fatherhood and talk about the joys and nuances of it. We discuss race, the importance of quality time, challenges and why it's imperative that your child sees your flaws and understands your imperfections.

Joshua Silverstein is an award winning performance artist, educator and professional beatboxer. In this episode, we discuss how he doesn't specify a difference between his biological and step-children. We also talk about how for some time, he has dealt with mental health issues and the fact he doesn't shy away from discussing those challenges with his children.

Propaganda is a Hip-Hop artist, podcaster, activist and brand new author with the release of his book "Tereform". In this interview, we talk about raising children in a blended family situation that also spans across cultural lines. We also discuss how his growing up with a father who was in the Black Panther's helped shape his identity as an activist but also as a man. We additionally dive into his faith and how that intersects throughout his artistry but also how he approaches being a father as well as a husband.

Ant Black is a college professor and also the publisher of the San Diego Poetry Annual which is an annual anthology of poets from the San Diego area. In this episode, we discuss the raising of his two girls and how his field of study helps him to determine the outcome of their future. We also talk about the intersectionality of the two cultures in his household and why it's important for both of them to be represented.

Shihan Van Clief is a full-time artist and co-founder of the largest weekly open mic in the country, Da Poetry Lounge. In this episode, he talks about being raised by a single father and how he has adopted some of those principles in raising his own children. We also discussed how being a full-time artist has benefited him in spending quality time with his family.

Robbie Jones is an accomplished actor in television and film as well as a former professional basketball player. In this episode, we discuss navigating raising children while being in the industry as well as the takeaways you get from own parents and how you were raised.

Dr. Javon Johnson is a professor of African-American and Gender and Sexuality studies at UNLV and also a notable author. In this episode, we discuss what it means to be a first-time father and also the importance of the structure of the black family dynamic.

Sekou Andrews is a Grammy Nominated Spoken Word Poet and also creator of “Poetic Voice”. In this episode, Sekou discusses his journey to becoming a first-time father and the many challenges he and his wife faced and losses they experienced conceiving.

Ray Murray is the Executive Pastor of Hopes House Christian Ministries in Granada Hills, CA. In this interview, Pastor Ray discusses raising his son as a single father and then after marrying his wife, being at the helm of a blended family and what he has experienced in that position. He also sheds light on the expectations of being a leader in the church and how that plays into fatherhood.

Michael "Chief" Peterson is a dean of students and also the first poet laureate of New Britain, Connecticut. In this interview, he discusses being a single father and how he navigates that task raising three young children. He also talks about not having his own father around while he was growing up and what the experience was like when he met him for the first time as a grown man.

Tony Price is a children's book author who is also a "girl dad". In this interview, he discusses accountability and the two "P's" of fatherhood: provision and presence. He also talks about his own father and how instrumental he was in shaping his views of parental guidance.

Emmy winner Boris "Bluz" Rogers discusses navigating being a young step-father and subsequently adding more children to the household and what that was like. He also brings up how one of his daughters is a college student who he has talks about diversity and inclusion to and also being a first-time grandfather.

Here is the trailer for the brand new podcast "Colors of Fatherhood" dropping April 26th! Please like and subscribe and share with everyone!