Champion Fathers Join the Million Father March

More than 200 fathers took the time to bring their children to Champion Theme Middle School as the 2011 school year started Monday. It was all part of the Million Father March, an initiative aimed at getting African-American dads more involved in their children's lives.

"It's important that men resume the responsibility or place that we should have in our child's lives, in our community and at home," said Larry Norwood before taking his daughter Laury to her first sixth-grade class of the year. 

"We need the protection and leadership of our fathers, just as at home," Champion Principal Angelique Smith-Hunt said to dads and students gathered in the school's media center before classes started.

Research shows that when dads are active in their children's academic lives, grades and test scores go up, and children find school more enjoyable, according to The Black Star Project, which began the Million Father March in 2004. Students are more likely to graduate high school and undergraduate school. They're also less likely to be suspended, expelled or take drugs.

"Middle school years are challenging for all students, but when everyone believes in a common purpose through action and support, then the students are the beneficiaries," Smith-Hunt said in a press release.

A record 700 cities nationwide are expected to participate in this year's Million Father March. 

Calvin Hill, who came with his eighth-grade daughter, Na'taja, was surprised at the turnout of dads Monday at Champion.

"Too many fathers are not involved," he said. "To see parents come out and show such support, it's great."

Smith-Hunt said she was motivated to get Champion involved in the initiative by her own father, William O. Smith, who was the first African-American to serve as an Air Force Recruiting sergeant for the Atlanta area when Smith-Hunt was a child.

Today was only the beginning; dads are expected to pledge to support their children throughout the year and volunteer 10 hours of service to the school for the year.

The middle schoolers were obviously pleased to have their dads by their sides.

"I think it's great that my dad cares about my education," said Laury Norwood. "To come out here from his job and spend five or 30 minutes, it's important to me." 

"Thank you so much for taking a minute that will mean an eternity for your children," Patrick Turner, a member of the school's advisory board, told the assembled fathers.

The 2011 Million Father March is managed by the Black Star Project and sponsored by the Open Society Foundation's Campaign for Black Male Achievement. See www.blackstarproject.org for more information about the initiative.