Look Who it Was Random video

Young black man is determined to battle the black fatherhood crisis

957 views · Published 5 September 2014 · 18:15 · Indexed 30 September 2026

Channel: The Dr Boyce Watkins Black Excellence Channel · 2014 · Nonprofits & Activism

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Kevin L. Adams Jr. is a 25-year old man on a mission.  The newly-minted husband, father and author has committed his life and waking hours to doing the work necessary to help young black men overcome the fatherhood gap that is impacting the black community. 

A recent study showed that black fathers are highly involved with their children from outside the household.  However, the fact that so many are out of the household is an issue worth addressing.  But we can't assign direct black to black men or women as a collective, since every relationship deteriorates for it's own unique reasons.  

In his new book, "Lost letters to my Father," Kevin documents his journey from boyhood to manhood, writing letters to his father as a teenager and replying to these letters himself as a grown man.   The project appears to have made him into a surrogate father of sorts for young men seeking the kind of advice and mentorship he craved while dealing with the difficult high school years. 

I met Kevin years ago when he and my daughter both attended the same university.  Back then, I was impressed with who Kevin was trying to be:  Thoughtful, respectful, well-dressed, educated and responsible.  He wasn't caught up in any of the silly black male stereotypes we see on television and was committed to being his own man.  That's what made me respect him. 

Check out the interview below.

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