Welcome to The Black Fathers’ Pulse—the podcast where fatherhood meets purpose. Join Dr. Alvin Thomas, clinical psychologist and associate professor, as he guides you through the highs, lows, and laughs of Black fatherhood. Dive into a vibrant community where stories are shared, support is given, and every heartbeat matters. Tune in to keep the pulse of fatherhood beating strong and vibrant. Subscribe now and join the conversation!

The Black Fathers’ Pulse Podcast—where every dad’s story rocks!

Thank you for being part of our community!

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Black Fatherhood Pulse! In this episode, titled “Black Fathers Raising Toddlers,” we delve into the unique joys and challenges of fatherhood during the toddler years. Join our esteemed guests—Eric Crawford, Shannon Reed, and Patrick Andrews—as they share their personal experiences and insights.

Our discussion covers the beauty and uniqueness of their children, memorable moments from the early years, lessons learned from parenting mishaps, and the balance between work, family, and self-care. We also explore their hopes and dreams for their children’s futures. Through their stories, you’ll find reflections of your own journey. Tune in for an inspiring and informative conversation that celebrates the pivotal role of Black fathers in their children’s lives.

Welcome to The Black Fathers’ Pulse—the podcast where fatherhood meets purpose. Join Dr. Alvin Thomas, clinical psychologist and associate professor, as he guides you through the highs, lows, and laughs of Black fatherhood. Dive into a vibrant community where stories are shared, support is given, and every heartbeat matters. Tune in to keep the pulse of fatherhood beating strong and vibrant. Subscribe now and join the conversation!

The Black Fathers’ Pulse Podcast—where every dad’s story rocks!

Thank you for being part of our community!

Judge Mitchell, presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division in Dane County, oversees a myriad of juvenile and child welfare, family and civil cases. Judge Mitchell joins us today to talk about what fathers need to know about identifying and securing their parental rights, and the challenges many men face once 'in the system'.

Black dads can too easily be excluded from the social welfare system, challenging their ability to be gainfully employed, engage with their children, and sustain a good quality of life. Dr. David Pate, Associate Professor and Chair Emeritus of the Social Work department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, joins us to talk about the effects of social welfare policy on the lives of Black men and their children.

On a mission to "spread as much joy as possible", Dexter Patterson, aka The Wisco Birder, is dedicated to making birdwatching welcoming for all birders around the state of Wisconsin. As founding member of The BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, Dexter joins us to share in a “community of people of color who love the outdoors and the birds and beauty of natural Wisconsin and wish to connect with others who share the same passion."

As our next guest writes, “Fatherhood, while immensely rewarding, comes with its own set of challenges. As a black father, these challenges are often compounded by societal pressures and stereotypes that can weigh heavily on your shoulders.” And we agree. Kenneth Braswell, a life long advocate for responsible fatherhood and mental health, joins us to talk about the challenges - and joys - of Black fatherhood.

Exclusive Interview: In August 2020, Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot seven times in the back by a white officer outside an apartment complex in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The shooting, which happened in front of Jacob's children, prompted national outrage with riots and protests breaking out across the country. But despite his new identity as a contemporary civil rights icon, the first word Jacob uses to describe himself is “father.” Today we’re speaking with Jacob Blake about Black Fatherhood, and how that fateful summer night shaped his role as father, then and now.

After the episode, for more information on Jacob and the work he's doing to "plug power to purpose", go to www.edifye.org.