Talk of the Town: Dad perspectives at the Fatherhood Summit

Rasheed Shabazz talked with other fathers at the Alameda County Fatherhood Summit.

Alameda County hosted the Fatherhood Summit on Sept. 27. The event featured speakers, workshops, and resource tables.

Oakland Voices caught up with a few dads and asked them what brought them to the summit and what advice they had for other fathers. Here’s what they talked to us about:

Macheo Payne

Macheo Payne.

“We have to embody vulnerability as men and we have to find ways to do that in community, with other men.”

– “We have to embody vulnerability as men and we have to find ways to do that in community, with other men.”

– Macheo Payne, professor of social work

Dr. Javarte Bobino

Javarte Bobino.

“They say men tend to stonewall more than women because we don’t want to make it worse. But we need to get through those hard conversations.”

“They say men tend to stonewall more than women because we don’t want to make it worse. But we need to get through those hard conversations.”

Dr. Javarte Bobino, educational psychologist

Michael Lewis

Michael Lewis.

“I just love being amongst fathers, specifically because we’re often misrepresented in media, in court and legal systems. It’s trying to change that narrative as best as possible.”

“I just love being amongst fathers, specifically because we’re often misrepresented in media, in court and legal systems. It’s trying to change that narrative as best as possible.”

Michael Lewis, parent specialist

Prentice Powell

Prentice Powell.

“Fatherhood doesn’t have to be like you’re in the trenches. Fatherhood has a lot of stigma, but it’s a lot of love.”

“Fatherhood doesn’t have to be like you’re in the trenches. Fatherhood has a lot of stigma, but it’s a lot of love.”

Prentice Powell, poet

What does fatherhood mean to you?

Author
Photo of Rasheed Shabazz

Rasheed Shabazz is a multimedia storyteller. He is a journalist, educator, urban planner, and historian. He is director of Oakland Voices’ Community Journalism Program.