This episode of Hold It Down features an in‑depth and heartfelt conversation with Yashar Jones, founder of the Locked In Fathers Alliance in Spokane, Washington — an organization dedicated to creating safe, empowering spaces for Black fathers and Black men in the community.

Yashar shares the origins of the Alliance, explaining that he created it because “we don’t see too many positive spaces that are for Black men” and because fathers often “play the background” despite their essential role. The conversation explores how the group provides a consistent, judgment‑free environment where men can talk openly about fatherhood, identity, and the challenges of being a Black man in today’s world.

The hosts and Yashar reflect on the importance of discipline over motivation, the power of showing up even when you don’t feel like it, and how the meetups help fathers “gain a brother” and build trust across generations. They highlight the beauty of seeing elders, new fathers, and even young men without children learning from one another — breaking generational cycles through honest dialogue and vulnerability.

Yashar also opens up about his own upbringing, moving through seven states, being raised by a strict father and grandfather, and how the lack of open communication in his childhood inspired him to create a space where men can finally talk, heal, and grow. As he puts it, the Alliance is “for me first,” a place that has strengthened his relationship with his own father and helped him evolve as a man and parent.

The episode closes with an invitation to the community: support the work, show up when you can, and remember that “whether it’s one or a hundred, I’m going to be there.”