Author: abel27z805558402

Holiday Sales Break

SYNOPSIS

Just in time for the holiday, FROM FATHERLESS TO FATHERHOOD is a documentary film that explores the causes, effects and possible solutions to father absence in African-American communities. Additionally, the film provides examples of men who are fostering quality relationships with their children, families and therefore, their communities. The film is rooted in the real lives of men, women and children and buttressed by the perspectives of Multi Grammy-Award winning Gospel Recording Artist, Kirk Franklin, Dr. Steve Perry (CNN’s Eduction Contributor), Reverend DeForest B. Soaries (CNN’s Black in America: Almighty Debt) and Jeff Robinson (MBK Entertainment).

FROM FATHERLESS TO FATHERHOOD

US/2012/82mins/Color

DIRECTOR: Kobie Brown

WRITERS: Kobie Brown, Njeri Brown

PRODUCER: Kobie Brown

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Shawn Peters

EDITORS: Darnell Taylor, Joe Saito

FEATURING: Kirk Franklin, Dr. Steve Perry, Rev. DeForest B. Soaries, DaShaun “Jiwe” Morris, Jeff Robinson, and others

Father & Son Imitate DMX

Post by DMX.

Playing is one of the most important things you can do with your child. The time you spend playing together gives your child lots of different ways and times to learn. It also helps your child:

build confidence
feel loved, happy and safe
develop social skills, language and communication
learn about caring for others and the environment
develop physical skills
connect and refine pathways in her brain.

Your child will love playing with you, but sometimes he might prefer to play by himself and won’t need so much hands-on play from you. He might just want you to give him ideas and let him know how his play and games are going. Also, the way your child plays will change as he gets older.

red_title

Leah Still Watches Dad Play First NFL Game

CINCINNATI — The star of the Browns–Bengals game Thursday night was Leah Still, the courageous 4-year-old daughter of Cincinnati defensive tackle Devon Still.

Fans at Paul Brown Stadium roared between the first and second quarters as the Bengals honored Leah, who’s battling Stage 4 pediatric cancer.

The Bengals announced a $1.3 million donation to Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Leah’s name, and the giant video screen played a montage of Leah and Devon set to the song “Brave” by Sara Bareilles.

[+] EnlargeLeah Still

Andrew Weber/USA TODAY SportsLeah Still watched her father, Devon, play for the first time live since he debuted in the NFL in 2012.

The Browns won the game 24-3, and Devon had three total tackles.

“I would describe it as an emotional roller coaster,” he said afterward. “Seeing my daughter in the pregame with all the excitement and then seeing her on the field receiving the check and just seeing the joy in her face, I was just so proud of the perseverance she showed to raise that money.”

Leah’s story has touched millions through social media. She wore a bedazzled Still jersey and a pink-flowered headband while flanked by family members in a suite pregame.

On a night filled with touching moments, Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer made a point to embrace Devon Still during the ceremony.

“Being a parent myself, I couldn’t imagine what he’s going through, especially how demanding this job is,” Hoyer told NFL Network after the game when asked what he told Still. “That gives you goose bumps. I just went over and told him I respect him and I pray for his daughter and him and hope everything gets better.”

After the ceremony, Leah’s grandmother carried her off the field and through the tunnel, where she was emotional.

“Because everybody loves you,” the grandmother was overheard saying to Leah, minutes after chants of “Leah, Leah” trumpeted through parts of the stadium.

“Seeing her picture on the scoreboard made me emotional, but somehow I was able to play the game,” Devon Still said. “The most emotional I got was when I looked up and saw her and Lauren Hill and saw they got a chance to meet.”

A member of the family said of Leah as the group was walking toward the elevators and back to the suite: “She’s taking it all in. She’s been really into it.”

Fans, TV producers and even local police donned a No. 75 patch or jersey in honor of Still. Devon Still wrote “Leah Strong” on his eye black strips.

Leah took a selfie with the Bengals cheerleaders in pregame:

She watched her father play live for the first time since he debuted in the NFL in 2012 as a second-round pick of the Bengals.

Leah is battling neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer that typically has a 50-50 chance for survival. Surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from her abdomen was considered successful, but rounds of radiation, chemotherapy and stem-cell treatments await her before doctors can determine whether she’s cancer-free.

ESPN.com Browns reporter Coley Harvey and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

Watch: Newark’s Own, Dupre’ Kelly, Pushes Literacy and So Can You

He’s not a schoolteacher, nor has he ever been. But some of life’s most important lessons are taught outside of the classroom, and for Doitall Du, one-third of the legendary Hip Hop trio Lords of The Underground, increasing literacy is one of the most important responsibilities a man carries. We caught up with him during Newark’s 4th Annual 24 Hours of Peace event where he explained why he does so.

DoItAll & 24 Hours of Peace organizer, Hakim Green, on site at reading pop up stand.
DoItAll & 24 Hours of Peace organizer, Hakim Green, on site at reading pop up stand.

I am a product of Newark, NJ, and literacy has always been important to me. Growing up here I was introduced to the same books most kids read by authors like Dr. Suess. My grandmother also used the Bible, specifically the story of the Temptation of Christ –where after being baptized, Jesus fasted for 40 days and was tested – to teach me the importance of patience. That revealed the importance of reading as a teacher of lessons. The most impactful book I read as a kid, however, was 1984 by George Orwell. I was intrigued by its prophecy and vision of what “Big Brother” had planned. Today we’d refer to “Big Brother” as the Illuminati.

Newark had an abundance of Five Percenters, who taught us to see God within ourselves, when I was a teen. One of the principles they taught was the importance of critical thinking instead of accepting things on their face, and with that I always challenged myself to look beyond the surface of any matter. The best way to do that is through reading and asking critical questions.

While I was in college at Shaw University, my passion for music led to my career as one-third of the group, Lords of The Underground.  Like most young artist my focus and immediate concern was, how much money am I going to get paid. Whether they’re in the record business or not there are a lot of people who never actually take the time to read in order to get a full understanding of their surroundings, including the contracts they sign. I discovered a book by Donald Passman called All You Need to Know About the Music Business very early in my career. Reading that book changed my entire outlook and understanding of what being an artist meant because it revealed how the business portion of entertainment worked. Knowing the inner workings of an industry allows you to determine your worth and growth potential beyond just rhyming. It allows you to truly capitalize on your talent. So whether it’s a recording contract, a home loan or a rental agreement, educating yourself is the key to succeeding in anything you get into.

Most people know The Lords, Redman, Naughty By Nature, The Fugees and Queen Latifah are just a few of the artists from Newark and surrounding areas. It’s always been important for each of us to use our success as an example to people from our home towns. In our case, we’ve done this through heavy community engagement ranging from visiting schools to present plays; sponsoring book and coat drives, and giving away turkeys during Thanksgiving. I take giving back very seriously.  A few years ago we connected with Dr. Lauren Wells and Eion Haynes. I’d say we had a nice haircut, and Dr. Wells helped us shape it up by explaining that what we were doing fell into the category of literacy. The result has been 211 Community Impact. One of the activities we’ve been promoting through 211 Community Impact are a number of pop up reading stations throughout the city. We’ve used each event to bring leaders -from former Councilman, now Mayor, Ras Baraka and different Hip Hop legends like KRS One and Ralph McDaniels to connect with citizens through reading.  Another initiative has been to provide adult residents with literature that makes them aware of some of the things happening that will impact their day-to-day lives.  We welcome anyone who takes literacy and our community’s success seriously to participate.

I’m often asked what adults can do to encourage younger people to read. One of the ways I recommend is finding topics young people like and just diving in; reading to them and allowing kids and teens to engage you through reading and discussion. It’s extremely important because just like adults, kids who don’t read well tend to check out and become distracted from learning. Reading and learning give our kids, and therefore our entire community, confidence and the power to succeed rather than a sense of deep insecurity which makes us passive and leaves us feeling completely deflated and defeated. That confidence and knowledge allows young people to see beyond the blocks and city in which they live. It prepares them to succeed. That’s why literacy is important.

Dupree Kelly/ Lord Gang/ 211 Community Impact

Flyer_Credits_Twitter

red_title

“It’s Never Too Late (To Become a Better Father)”

What, if anything, can we do to prepare and encourage men who are absent from their children’s lives to become better fathers? This is one of the questions discussed during the shooting of FROM FATHERLESS TO FATHERHOOD.

Screen shot 2010-12-25 at 1.04.48 AMIn this outtake, Steve, reflects on what fatherhood means to him, while offering some encouragement to those fathers who are voluntarily missing from the lives of their children.

 

 

 

CLICK IMAGE TO STREAM FILM

Movie Poster

Allan Houston Explains What Makes His Son a Leader

Post by From Fatherless to Fatherhood.

 

red_title



TGIF

Welcome! Click the FROM FATHERLESS TO FATHERHOOD logo below to enter the PARENTING section of our site, and don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly newsletter below.

red_title