New York, N.Y., Charlotte, N.C., Chicago, IL., Detroit, MI., Dallas, TX., Philadelphia, PA., Washington D.C., Los Angeles, CA., Louisville, KY and Seattle WA are all on board. The initial idea for a national father-daughter dance event was birthed by Real Dads Network executive director Derek Phillips, after conversations with Uptown Magazine’s Lynn Burnett a year ago. Venues are being secured and logos are being approved. The social media push, sponsorship packages and marketing are being put in place for The National Father Daughter Dance that will be launching point for revitalizing, repairing and improving the state of families across the country.
Many the cities were already having yearly dances individually. The National Father Daughter Dance, which still affords each city its local identity and autonomy, is slated to occur primarily over the Father Day weekend – Jun. 14-16. However, some of the cities like Dallas already had alternate dates set. Even with the different dates and locations, it is one initiative. Some cities like Charlotte have turned the entire week into an experience with plays and dance classes.
Imagine fathers and daughters of all walks of life and ages attending a nation-wide formal gala where little princesses wearing glittery gowns and tiaras will be honored and intentionally embraced as angelic royalty by their fathers and/or father figures. The memories will be lasting but the organizers want create more than memories. This event will be a catalyst for measurable accountability. Continuous active participation by the fathers in the lives of the daughters is also a goal. There are great aspirations in other areas – some unifying for the fatherhood movement.
“In part, the dance will serves as a platform for unify fatherhood groups to make possible real policy changes and possibly get shared parenting as the norm where family court and fathers are concerned”, said Derek Phillips.
The power of collaboration brings hope. The Real Dads Network and The Furthering Fathering Corporation of N.Y., The Amazing Love Father Daughter Experience and Urban Restoration of Charlotte, Dads Club Inc. of Detroit, Street Positive of Los Angeles, Black Star Project of Chicago, 100 Fathers Inc.of Washington D.C., Daddy University of Philadelphia and Concord Church of Dallas have joined forces. These fatherhood organizations putting the dance together after several conference calls and numerous e-mails have forged together an alliance to pool national sponsorship and best practices that is determined to bless families across the country this year and years to come
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