by Michael McCoy Why doesn’t society at large see the Black fathers I see? Is it because society at large considers Black fathers absent and invisible? Why doesn’t society at large see the Black fathers I see nurturing and raising their children? Is it because that same society believes the hype about Black fathers being nothing more than sperm donors? Why doesn’t society at large see the Black fathers I see being engaged in all aspects of childrearing whether or not they are married to that child’s mother? Is it because society at large has bought into the “baby daddy” syndrome? These are the questions I often ask myself 364 days throughout the year. The only time I don’t ask these and other questions is during that one day that has been designated “Father’s Day.” Why does this appear to be a sticking point with me? Because, I believe in the relevancy of Black fatherhood. Contrary to Popular media reports, scholarly research studies containing their empirical and anecdotal evidence, and public policy positions from public figures suggesting the majority of Black fathers are interested in donating sperm, expanding the gene pool, and creating state dependent children, I believe in Black fatherhood. The Black fathers I see are fully engaged and vested in contributing richly to lives of their children individually as well as to their larger communities. In addition to be a fully engaged father of two sons, I am a member of the oldest continuous collegiate fraternity founded by men of African descent – Alpha Phi Alpha. For over 100 years, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated’s mission develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy for our communities. As an advocate for not only the community where I reside but the overall African-American male community, I not only want to advocate for successful Black fathers, but I want to highlight our seldom-told positive stories. My local fraternal chapter – Pi Upsilon Lambda (PUL) – located in Prince George’s County, Maryland, serves as a microcosm of successful Black fathers and men serving their community. On any given day, you’ll see a young man balancing his responsibilities as a father of two toddlers, his place of employment, and his service contributions to his church and the community through his fraternal involvement. On any given day, you’ll see the father, who works for a government agency overseeing the distribution of millions of dollars financing the higher education dreams of students throughout the country, serve as the example to his son, a graduating high school senior. On any given day, you’ll see the father, who protects and serves his community as a law enforcement officer, being a role model to his young daughters. These examples serve as illustrations that we Black fathers are more than just caricatures serving as comedic fodder or punching bags for the moralizers and public policy promoters. While it’s commendable President Barack Obama publicly encourages Black men to make meaningful contributions to the lives of their children and community at large, many Black men have been doing that long before the president made this a visible issue. Society, at large, whether it’s the media, scholarly studies, and talking heads seem content with displaying all the stereotypes associated with Black fatherhood while seldom showing us embracing, wiping away the tears, disciplining, encouraging, and celebrating our children like fathers of other backgrounds. I’ve always been a firm believer in the telling of our own stories especially concerning successful Black fatherhood. As a whole, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. celebrates not only fatherhood but positive manhood. The Pi Upsilon Lambda Chapter showcases successful Black fatherhood with its annual Christopher Riley Father’s Day Breakfast. Each year, PUL and the community, as a whole, celebrates the contributions fathers have made in the lives of our children by not treating this as a gathering where the community hears adult men pontificate about the virtues of the fathers we honor; rather the community listens to the firsthand accounts from those who know the honored fathers best—their children. The children write essays extolling what their fathers mean to them. The community witnesses this outpouring of love and affection to a select group of men who are often misunderstood and relegated to the periphery of society. As a chapter, we take the pains to ensure these positive and uplifting stories are told and presented. The year 2013, will be no different, as once again, the children will take center stage to read their essays about what their fathers mean to them. PUL’s 6 th Annual Christopher Riley Father’s Day Breakfast will take place on Saturday, June 15, at the Metro Points Hotel in New Carrollton, Maryland. Tickets to the Father’s Day Breakfast can be secured at http://puleventbrite.com I highly encourage those reading this piece to come out and hear what the children have to say about their fathers and to see the community embrace these men who carry out their responsibilities contrary to what society at large thinks or claims they know about Black fathers. For these are the fathers I see.