The Black Daddies Club (BDC) was founded in 2007 by Brandon Hay in response to the lack of forums and spaces for Black men to discuss parenting issues as well as the issues facing the Black Community as a whole. The main goal is to change the image of the black father in the media, from a neglectful figure to a responsible, involved and loving role model.

BDC mandate/guiding principles
  1. Develop a continuous support system for Black fathers to share their challenges and or experiences
  2. Host events featuring various speakers both high-profile and “everyday” people who can inspire and encourage positive practices for Black fathers and community members generally
  3. Work with the media to provide alternate images of Black fathers

How Black Daddies Club was Formed: A personal journey

At the age of 24, I discovered I was about to become a dad for the first time. Being raised by a single mother and without the presence of a consistent father figure, I was filled with anxiety and fear about my own ability to be a great father. I was inspired by many “t.v. dads” such as Bill Cosby’s Heathcliff Huxtable. I knew that I wanted to be a father like this but wasn’t quite sure how.

Knowing of other men in my situation, a forum whereby we could share ideas, struggles and victories seemed like it could be very helpful. Using the opportunity to learn from older and more experienced fathers was something I thought to be valid. Creating this space for open and honest discussion became extremely relevant at the time. I thought if not now, when? BDC will help us men become better fathers, which will ultimately help our children become better role models and leaders in our society.




Keep up to date with Black Daddies Club on:


The Black Family Values Tour

Black Daddies Club presents "The Black Family Values Tour", is a series of 10 discussions in 10 different communities across Toronto for the months of April and May 2013; The discussions aim to interrogate and tackle the misconceptions of Black family “Values” and identify the challenges that Black Fathers encounter in the city of Toronto.

The Black Fathers Research Project

“Only when Lions have Historians will the Hunters cease being Heroes.” – African Proverb

The Black Daddies Club (BDC) has embarked on a unique and necessary research project to collect information about the issues, challenges, roadblocks, opportunities and successes associated with Black fatherhood in the City of Toronto. When it comes to the amount of information about the experiences of Black fathers in Toronto, the dearth of data on the subject is alarming. Indeed, what little can be found invariably toward reinforcing negative stereotype (e.g. The Black father as chronically absent, neglectful and irresponsible).

In order for us to go beyond the anecdotal, we need cold, hard facts...and that is why the BDC Research Project is so important. It allows is to ask key questions and to produce work that can provide the foundation for future research and policy makings in health and human services, as well as BDC programming.

It is time to tell our stories, Family. We must seize the reins and speak to our own reality with our own undiluted voices.

The Black Fathers Research Project is a partnership with University of Toronto and York University, the program was funded by the City of Toronto.

Donating to Black Daddies Club

If you would like to support BDC, please send money order or cheques to the John Howard Society Toronto cc Black Daddies Club at the address below. You will receive a tax receipt through John Howard Society Toronto

John Howard Society of Toronto
60 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, ON
M5S 3L2

BDC in Huffington Post Canada

BDC in Huffington Post Canada is a bi weekly platform for Black fathers to speak about their unvarnished truths....

All too often, our voices have been missing from critical discussions of parenting; what the column attempts to challenge is the widely-held belief that we having nothing of importance to contribute...that we are not as deeply invested in the well-being of our offspring as the mothers of our children appear to be.

The heartfelt commentaries that are submitted by Black fathers (in the GTA and beyond), who are quietly going about their very necessary job of co-parenting our Black tomorrows, stand as an emphatic repudiation of the 'Black Father as the Perennial, Absent, Deadbeat Dad' myth.

Far from being absent, we are very much present. And rest assured, we will remain a loving presence in the lives of our children, in stubborn defiance of all of the forces arrayed against our active participation in the healthy development of our Seed.

So, if you have a minute, come and take a look at what we have to share. And, if you are a Black Daddy, please don't hesitate to contribute to the ongoing conversation!

Please contact Junior Burchall directly if you're interested in submitting an article: juniorburchall@hotmail.com

Black Daddies Club presents Daddies and Me

This event is geared for fathers and their children spending quality time, doing various outings throughout the city, we have partnered with Kids Up Front Foundation, who will be donating tickets to concerts, sporting events, and local plays. We at the BDC knows that it can be difficult as parents to come up with disposable cash engage our youth in the arts, this partnership alleviate that stress on parents.

General Inquiries
info@blackdaddiesclub.com

Public & Media Relations
rehema@blackdaddiesclub.com