The National Million Fathers March Launches Virtually in the Fall

Fathers Incorporated (FI), the leading national non-profit for the promotion of responsible fatherhood, will launch its the annual Million Fathers March (MFM) effort virtually on Friday, September 25th with interactive events that will be streamed live from the website, www.MillionFathersMarch.com.

The national event will roll out on Friday, September 25th across the nation. Last year over 77,000 dads, 444,000 students in 81 cities and 26 states participated. School districts can sign up by visiting www.MillionFathersMarch.com .

The Million Fathers March (MFM) is an opportunity for men to show their commitment to the educational lives of their children throughout the school year. Since the march began in 2004, fathers and other significant male caregivers across the United States and around the world have gathered to accompany their children to their first or designated day of the new school year. Each annual MFM marks the beginning of a year-long commitment by men to their children’s educational success.

Organizations and schools are encouraged to engage in activities that support the theme, “Real Dads Read (RDR).” Dads, uncles, coaches, mentors, clergy and men’s groups are encouraged to engage in literacy activities for the day. Currently, RDR is FI’s flagship program that has 80+ libraries in barbershops and schools across metro-Atlanta and Columbus, GA and will expand nationally in 2020.

"Reading is a fundamental skill of a child’s ability to read proficiently by third grade and is the most significant predictor of his or her school success, high school completion, and future economic stability,” says Kenneth Braswell, CEO of Fathers Incorporated who was crowned to continue in the legacy of the Million Father March Founder, Phillip Jackson, a Chicagoan and stalwart city-government official who held numerous executive roles.

Braswell continues, “However, approximately 80% of low-income children will not achieve this crucial milestone. RDR attempts to change this outcome by engaging barbershops, schools and other educational entities to encourage fathers to read to their children. Reading to children is also a clear and beneficial way for fathers to spend quality time with their children.”

By design, the MFM is a community-driven event inclusive of foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male caregivers, family friends, and other male role models. Additionally, representatives from such entities as public and private schools, community-based organizations, government agencies, local businesses and faith-based institutions along with elected officials are also asked to join in and support the march.

This we have created an additional option for schools that are on various schedules as a result of COVID-19. On the morning of September 25th, 8AM-11AM (eastern) Fathers Incorporated will host a three-hour virtual event to engage dads and their children in the comfort of their homes or social distancing environment. The event will be streamed on several platforms to include Facebook LIVE, YouTube and at www.gentlewarriorsacademy.com. The event will include performances by Culture Queen and Fun with Science, an author interview with New York Times Best Selling Children’s Author, of “New Kid, Jerry Craft, storytelling and much more.

For more information, to register your school or RSVP for the virtual event, visit www.millionfathersmarch.com, call 770.804.9800 or email fathersincorporated@gmail.com. Click here for a list of participating cities.

Tamika Morrison is the media contact for Fathers Incorporated and can be reached at 704-577-7257 or via email at tmorrison@fathersincorporated.com .