Hello everyone. Welcome back to Cynthia@theTable. I am your host, Cynthia! Today, we are celebrating the special fathers in our lives. Fathers are equally as important as mothers are in our lives, so you know we had to come back for another episode dedicated solely to the dads out there.
Last season at the table around this time, I gave a little historical context on the founding of Father’s Day and how our nation began celebrating this holiday. Even now, I’m still intrigued regarding the history of Father’s day.
Last Father’s Day I talked about how I had learned that in 1924 President Calvin Coolidge recognized Father’s Day as the third Sunday in June of that year and encouraged States to do the same.
However, Congress only officially recognized Father’s Day in 1956 with the passage of a joint resolution. That’s amazing because that was only 65 years ago.
Obviously, many of the fathers out there were actually fathers long before the holiday was officially recognized by Congress. But wait, it gets better. Ten years later in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson issued a proclamation calling for the third Sunday in June to be recognized as Father’s Day. And it was not until 1972 that Richard Nixon permanently established the observance of the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day in the U.S.
Now that was only 49 years ago!
In comparison, and to add some more perspective, Mother’s Day became an official U.S. holiday in 1914, which was some 40 years earlier.
Wow…so enlightening, yet disheartening to see how, as a nation, we have over the years, while maybe not intentionally, systemically undermined the importance of fathers. I guess that means there is still much work to be done around fatherhood and celebrating our fathers.
Nevertheless, as I’m sure many of our listeners would agree, raising our children is at the top of the list of biggest accomplishments and responsibilities for a mom and dad. With that being said, Father’s Day is such a heart-warming celebration for me and a big deal in our home!
It is a time when we get to acknowledge and honor the men in our lives who have been a role model, father figure, a provider, an encourager, and a protector. That includes biological fathers, stepdads, big brothers, coaches, adoptive dads, paternal relative caregivers, and foster parents who have been father figures in the lives of others.
As I have shared before, having been raised by my mother and step-father, I personally have a special appreciation for men who step up and take care of children who are not biologically his own.
And I want to again thank and acknowledge today my dad for being there for me! I must also take the opportunity to give a special heartfelt recognition to my incredibly amazing husband, Mr. Marvin Miller, who is a remarkable man, husband, and father, and the backbone of my family who unselfishly gives so much of himself in providing for our family.
Happy Father’s Day babe!
I also want to recognize and acknowledge the wonderful fathers and husbands of my co-hosts. As well as take a moment to give a shout out to my brothers, brothers-in-law, and nephews for being the loving fathers that they are! Well alright listeners, you are in for some exciting table talk!
We are about to hear from our dynamic special guests with us today. We are going to spend some time talking to them about fatherhood and what the role of a father means to them based on their life journeys, upbringings, and experiences as well as how these experiences have shaped their lives into who they are today.
They are young, exceptional Black men who are amazing role models, influencers, fathers, and father-like figures in their own rights.
That’s right, we have some millennials at the table today!
They represent faith leaders, educators, executive directors, entrepreneurs, and community advocates. I’m not sure y’all ready for this.
Up first, let me introduce Pastor Ronald L. Bolden the second!
Pastor Ronald is married to the Great First Lady Jasmine Bolden and they have an awesome daughter together, named Ka’Niyah. (You know the Pastors like to start off by telling you that they’re married with kids. Won’t He do it?)
A native of Compton, California, he pastors the Greater Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in the great City of Los Angeles.
Pastor Ronald was born for Ministry. Being raised in the church and a Christian home prepared him for his calling. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at an early age.
Pastor Bolden graduated from Gardena Senior High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sacred Theology from the St. James Convergence School of Ministry.
He began preaching 11 years ago at the age of 19 and has been a pastor for 3 years. Pastor Bolden has been privileged to be a part of countless faith-based community efforts, partnerships, and engagements with the City of Los Angeles and local County government officials to be a voice for our communities, and through it all, he credits God for continuing to give him the victory!
Next at the table, we have Soul (Tim) Johnson, better known as Timmy. Timmy is a Los Angeles native with degrees (yes, plural) in Marketing/Communications as well as a Masters in Education.
While giving back to the inner city through the grace of God via a career in education for over 20 years, Timmy has also taken the time to mentor and manage aspiring artists in entertainment through artist management.
He is currently a Partner at Music Maven and BWSA Clothing, the host of the “BackPackinWithSoul” podcast, and Father Baker at Mattie Lee’s Cast Iron Cookie, a family cookie business that was started during quarantine with his daughter Penelope and son Gunnar.
Last but most definitely not least, I would like to introduce Demontea Thompson. Demontea is a Compton-native and the Executive Director of Together We Inspire – a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that improves current and former foster youth educational and career outcomes.
He is currently a Ph.D. student at UCLA in the School of Education, Urban Schooling Division.
His research explores how educational institutions can facilitate success for young boys and men of color, particularly those who have had interactions with the child welfare and justice systems.
Demontea is also a slam poet (snap fingers for effect) and author of the inspirational autobiography, Raised From Scratch.
As a TEDx Talk speaker and featured guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show for his community work, he focuses on putting research into practice. He received his Master’s degree in Education from USC and his undergraduate degree in business management from Cal State Northridge (CSUN).
He is a board member of the CSUN Alumni Association.
Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!
What a distinguished panel of guests! Okay now, let’s get into some table talk.
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