After being surprised by the comments people directed at him for being a conscientious new father, filmmaker and educator Derek Phillips co-directed and co-produced an award-winning documentary called âReal Dads–Black Men on Fatherhood,â which included commentary by the late Ossie Davis. Despite the filmâs positive reception, Phillips–who has two daughters–and some of the men featured in the film continued to wonder what else they might do to educate the public about the critical role fathers play in their childrenâs lives. A few years later in 2004, along with Keith Honeywell, a public education administrator, Phillips launched Real Dads™ Network (RDN).
Real Dads ™ started out as a website and newsletter. Now, according to Honeywell, who serves as director of operations, RDN has blossomed into an event driven organization. With Phillips at the helm as executive director, last year RDN was officially incorporated as a nonprofit. Soon the team hopes to go national by setting up new chapters and hosting events in other cities.
âWeâve grown in recognition,â says Honeywell, a father of three daughters.
Recently, RDN hosted the âFathers and Children Picnicâ in Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York. It was attended by more than 250 people and was co-hosted by New York State Assemblyman William Scarborough. The picnic launched RDNâs 4th Annual Celebration of Fatherâs Week, a series of events featuring a relationship seminar, the critically acclaimed play âGrowing Up Daddy â A One Man Show,â an art exhibit in the Gershwin Hotel called âBABA: Black Artistsâ Expression of Fatherâ and a public policy forum hosted by the Eagle Academy for Young Men in the Bronx.
Honeywell says the mission of the organization is to celebrate fatherhood. âIt provides resources for men who want to be better fathers and it helps influence public policy so that the idea of âshared parentingâ becomes a standard,â he says.
âThere are many alarming statistics showing the extent of the absence of fathers in the home, particularly in African-American homes,â Honeywell says. âAlmost every American social problem such as education, teen pregnancy, unemployment, crime, drug use, etc. has a âdaddy factorâ associated with it. RDN believes that increasing male involvement in the parenting process will go a long way in reducing these negative social statistics.â He says that, ultimately, RDN wants to have a national impact on peopleâs consciousness and the legal system.
The organization asserts that part of the misconceptions about fatherhood stem from the media, so their focus is to use the same platform to spread their message. âThe idea is to use the media to its full advantage,â said Honeywell. âFathers are indeed needed for the healthy development of children.â
Seven years after launching the Real Dads ™ Network website, the organization is now attracting a board of directors who can provide guidance on reaching the next level. While Phillips and Honeywell are both seasoned administrators, they are aware of their limits. The board will help the organization raise money and provide direction in terms of setting up an infrastructure and eventually hiring more staff.
Honeywellâs advice to those who want to start a nonprofit is to connect with knowledgeable people and do your research. âGet as much information as you can,â he urged. âFrom books, websites and other nonprofit businessesâŚlearn from their mistakes and successes,â he says.
What has he learned from the process of starting a nonprofit? âFor me, one of the key things in life is that you get what you pay for. Deal with people who know what theyâre doing and who have a record of success. Theyâll make you look good,â he offers.
Honeywell advised against cutting corners. âEven though youâre running a nonprofit, you have to run it as a business in order to stay in business,â he says.
Honeywell said they chose to incorporate as a ânonprofitâ instead of a âfor profitâ company because theyâre here to be a change agent. âThe message is our most important commodity,â he says.
The culminating event in the Celebration of Fatherâs Week this year was the 4th Annual Real Dads ™ Network Scholarship and Awards Dinner where Kwasi Nyantakyi, a graduating senior and future University of Rochester student, won a $1,000 scholarship. âHeâs a potential âreal dadâ and weâre supporting him,â says Honeywell.