By Freda Freeman
Correspondent
Fathers throughout the state will gather June 20 at the 13th annual North
Carolina Fatherhood Conference for a day of replenishment, uplift,
encouragement and solidarity.
“It’s an opportunity for men to come together to pour into one another, a
place where men can galvanize, express, share, have dialogue, and be
educated on various topics, from menopause to wellness to parenting to
what it means to be a man,” said Vanessa Hickmon, executive director of
the Family Resource Center South Atlantic in Raleigh.
The theme is “The Evolution of Fatherhood.” The free conference will
explore how the role of fathers continues to grow, adapt and impact
families and communities across generations, Hickman said.
“We have many men who in the past were told to suck it up, man up. Our
fathers and grandfathers were not allowed to talk that talk or even cry.
When you think of men then and men now, we now have generations of fathers
who are open to therapy, more open to sharing their ups and downs, highs
and lows. Men have evolved, and working through their emotions and
feelings is acceptable,” she said.
The conference gathers fathers, families, mentors, advocates, educators,
service providers and community leaders. Hickmon estimates about 10,000
people have attended over the past 12 years.
The day will include informational workshops and panel discussions about
fathers’ physical, mental and financial health, and a panel of women will
talk to dads about raising daughters. Fathers will be recognized for the
role they play in their families and communities at an awards luncheon.
Hickmon said the goal is to encourage fathers “to be there, to be present.
Modern fathers are not just the breadwinners, leaving all the mothering to
the mother. We recognize dads play a vital role. We want to bring fathers
to the forefront, to be more involved, engaged, fully co-parenting.”
Michael Morgan, retired North Carolina Supreme Court associate justice, is
the keynote speaker. Morgan is the only person in state history to serve
in four different judicial positions, and he was the first African
American elected to the state Supreme Court without prior appointment.
Morgan said he will discuss the joys, challenges and responsibilities of
fatherhood; while instilling in fathers and father figures the importance
of their role in molding, guiding and directing young people to achieve
the best they can be in the opportunities afforded them.
“It’s important for fathers to realize that they have a treasured
opportunity to make sure he represents the best that he can be in setting
a tone for his child or children to strive to be as excellent as they can
be regardless of whatever the circumstances might be financially or
otherwise materially,” he said.
“While the role of the father has changed in terms of some of society’s
acceptances, nonetheless, the father still has a fundamental role that has
not changed. The father is still important; the father is still unique.
There are so many roles now that fathers are allowed to be who they are as
long as the family benefits.”
The conference will be held at The Life Enrichment Center, 3805 Tarheel
Club Road. Visit: ncfatherhood.com.
previous post
