Pres. Obama’s FATHERHOOD BUZZ Hits Barbershops Nationwide this Father’s Day Weekend! Join the Nat’l Responsible Fatherhood Movement!!

By Michelle Russell

Just in time for Father’s Day, Barbershops across the country will be participating in Fatherhood Buzz, an initiative created to allow dads to connect with local resources to help build strong families.

Fatherhood Buzz was created by The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse, and its primary focus is to promote fatherhood in the African-American community. It is no secret that the number of single mothers in the African-American community increases every day. This is especially problematic because statistics show that in single parent households children are more likely to drop out of school, use drugs, and become parents themselves at an early age.

The NRFC and President Obama are working to change this by using the barbershop, a staple in the African-American community, to bring fathers together with their children. In Chicago, the Orlando Barber Studio will be hosting Fatherhood Buzz. The shop owner, Orlando Burns could not be more excited.

“We are wearing matching t-shirts, and passing out flyers that have suggested things to do with children,” said Barber, a new father. “We will also be talking about ways to understand our children better.”

This subject is not foreign to the Orlando Barber Studio. According to Burns, most of the conversations held within the studio are about maintaining positive relationships with children despite location challenges, ‘baby momma drama’, and financial difficulties. One thing that surprises new fathers, is how much they learn from their child.

“It’s like you’re back in school. You have to learn to understand their needs. You think about them every day. Parent/child love is different than anything I had ever imagined,” said Burns.

That’s a sentiment mirrored by many fathers, including Khalifia Brown. Brown is a barber from Custom Cuts in Fayetteville, Georgia who will be participating in Fatherhood Buzz.  Brown is participating in the initiative to show that there are just as many good fathers as there are bad ones.

“I am a father, having some kids and some fathers over to show that there are still some fathers in the community may [inspire]…others do be more active in their kids life. Fatherhood means supporting your child spiritually, mentally, and emotionally,” said Brown.

The Fatherhood Buzz Barbershop tour will take place on Saturday, June 16, 2012, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in eight cities including; Atlanta, Georgia, Albany, New York, and Los Angeles, California.  For more information about Fatherhood Buzz, call 877-4DAD-411 or visit www.fatherhood.gov.  

A full list of cities and locations can be found at www.fatherhood.gov/-buzz/stay-connected.

Select barbershops in eight cities:

Albany, NY                                                       Milwaukee, WI

Atlanta, GA                                                      New York, NY

Chicago, IL                                                      Philadelphia, PA

Los Angeles, CA                                             Washington, DC