New program aims to help Detroit men become ‘extraordinary’ fathers

DETROIT — For decades, media attention on African American fathers has focused on the negative. A 2013 book, “Dare to Be Extraordinary: A Collection of Positive Life Lessons from African American Fathers,” depicts what is usually not shown on TV – what African American fathers are doing right. Stories from Dennis Archer and Russell Simmons and others help to flesh out authors Leslie Gordon’s and William Middlebrooks’, former president of the 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, text. Now Focus: HOPE and 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Inc. are working together to reduce the number of father absent homes in the community by creating the Extraordinary Fathers Academy of Detroit. The academy is an 18-week program, offered in two nine-week semesters. Each week will bring participants together for a half day of hands-on, non-judgmental engagement and exchanges to help make fathers aware of their importance in the lives of their children, partners and communities by being positively present and involved, organizers say. Scholarships are available. For more information, contact Steve Ragan at 313.494.4257 or steve.ragan@focushope.edu.