I grew up as an at-risk youth in Maryvale, Arizona, and experienced everything that the streets can teach you. Raised by a Baptist mother and stepdad who was with the Nation of Islam, I was taught core values and knowledge of self at a young age. I was taught to be proud of my culture and to never downplay that. Experience is the best teacher; with the trials and tribulations I’ve gone through, I now apply that knowledge in my mentoring with Our Black Father’s Committee.

We are the first all-black organization in Phoenix that is Afrikan-centered with our mentoring and guidance. For a long time in the city, Black Fathers and young Black men in this city were not represented correctly; we would have to go elsewhere to receive services and mentorship from someone we could not relate to. We have broken that cycle and will continue to do work, plant seeds, and live by the Afrikan proverb of Sankofa! We are in the process of opening up a community center that would help with fitness, employment resources, multimedia, and mentoring/counseling. The ultimate goal of our mission is to change the narrative of Black Fathers in the community one father at a time.