One of the first articles I ever had published was a feature story I wrote many years ago on growing up with a single, black father. “Oprah doesn’t do stories on single, black dads,” I wrote. I complained about them being an ignored demographic.

To my surprise, I received several letters from black women angered by my article. I recall one stating that the single, black father was the exception, not the norm and why take focus off of black women who so often pull double duty as mother and father while working full time?

Those women deserve support and admiration. Yet, I said then as I say now: Black men with sole custody of their kids, comprise a small yet mighty group that deserves far more attention than received.

A look at the statistics: From the Pew Research center’s data from 2017; 36% of black children under 18-years-old live with married parents; 47% live with single mothers; 7% live with cohabitating partners; and 4% live with single fathers.

I was part of that scant percentage. My father had little-to-no resources when my mother just upped and left him with two pre-teen kids. He worked two, sometimes three jobs to keep paying the mortgage on the house he and my mother had just bought; and to provide for us. Although there was no time or money for vacations I cannot remember ever doing without lights, heat, air conditioning, school supplies, clothes—without any of the basic needs, really.

My father would come home from a two-hour commute every night just in time to make sure we were OK—fed, homework done—and then was back out the door two hours later—on yet another grueling two-hour train ride to his second job. Our lives ran that way for years until we kids were grown.

Still, I think my then-over-taxed father could have benefited with some support. In her book, “The Best Kept Secret: Single Black Fathers,” associate professor of sociology at Marquette University Roberta L. Coles writes that “monies, scholarly research, and public debate have nearly entirely focused on non-custodial fathers or so-called ‘irresponsible fathers’ for which black fathers have become the poster child.”

In her research, which included interviews of single, black fathers, Coles discovered, “African American fathers struggle to extricate themselves from the negative and restrictive cultural baggage that attends the ‘black male’ identity in American society.”

As a child, and even today as an adult, I get defensive about the persistently negative portrayals of black men as fathers as I remember my own and how he did so much to raise us.

So, what is my point? Well, I guess I wish there were more single, black fathers highlighted in media. I wish there were more policies and organizations that advocated for fathers’ rights when the father is the more fit custodial parent.

But, my point is also to highlight the single, black fathers out there this Father’s Day. I remember so well when my father removed the drop leaf that extended our dining room table after my mother left, shrinking it down into a small, encompassing circle. “We were a family of four, now we are a family of three,” he said.

He was right then, and we still are a strong family of three. And Happy Father’s Day to all of the single, black fathers.

CHECK OUT THE 2019 LIST OF BE MODERN MEN —an integrative program that honors the essence, image, and accomplishments of today’s man of color.

The ideas and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s and not necessarily the opinion of Black Enterprise.

Okay, so where were we? Recently The Nerds of Color were lucky enough to visit the planet of Batuu, aka Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland. And wanted to pass down some of our tips and tricks to you, our readers, for your next visit! In case you missed Part 1 of our coverage, we discussed […]

Bambi is coming for the summer sales: Police recently captured a video of a deer frantically running through a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in New York, and the shocking footage is going viral […]

The post Watch: Deer Runs Wild Through Aisles at Dick’s Sporting Goods Store in New York appeared first on Geek.com.

On June 8, Disney Studios held a press conference followed by interviews with the cast of the upcoming film Toy Story 4.

The lineup included the returning stars, Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), and a returning character, Annie Potts as Bo Peep. They were joined by the actors voicing the new characters on the team, Christina Hendricks (Gabby Gabby), Tony Hale (Forky), and Keanu Reeves who voices Duke Kaboom. Producer Mark Nielson, director Josh Cooley, and producer Jonas Riviera also joined the press conference which took place in two parts.

We watched the film before getting a chance to speak with everyone and ask questions at the press conference. Here are some of the things we found out.

Allen joked about ejecting Woody from the Toy Story franchise.

Tim Allen started out with a joke about the new film. He said that he was glad that Pixar finally booted Hanks’ character, Woody. The joke was on him though when Reeves broke the news that Woody was indeed in the film. The actor directed Allan’s attention to the screen behind them where the film logo, featuring Woody, was displayed.

One person asked about Buzz’s hair under that purple Star Command cap.

Allen briefly joked that the character has “ropecia” a hair loss condition that plagues robotic toys. He then said that Buzz really has “ a beautiful head of hair and a man bun” under that cap.

In my interview with Potts, we talked about how the women are at the forefront of this Toy Story Film.

Potts said, “The women are not waiting anymore.” Her words perfectly describe the arc of the relationship between Woody and Bo and how it works in this film. (I can’t say more, #spoilers.)

Hendricks told everyone that Gabby Gabby is not really a villain.

This is despite her godfather-like hold on the antique mall and the power she wields to hunt down Woody. According to Hendricks, you will see in the movie that Gabby Gabby’s sinister behavior has a modus operandi. So, after watching the film, you will probably agree that the doll is not a villain.

I interviewed Potts, Hendricks, and Hale on National Best Friends’ Day.

Each actor told me who their character’s best friend was. Hale said Forky’s best friend is Woody, of course. Pott surprised me by saying that Bo’s best friend was not Woody, but her new sidekick Giggles McDimples (voiced by Ally Mack). Hendricks said that Gabby Gabby’s best friend is Forky. You will have to watch the film to see why.

Reeves plays the hypersensitive Duke Kaboom, a character some may call a “crybaby”.

However, the actor doesn’t seem to like the term much. “What’s wrong with that?” he asked the crowd during the press conference. Reeves did admit that the character had crybaby tendencies.

The team that animated Duke Kaboom was 100% Canadian.

Producer Rivera said they became known as “The Maple Leaf Crew”.Reeves is Canadian, further nationalizing the character.

Not everyone is allowed to ad lib on the Toy Story 4 team.

Allen told the crowd that the Pixar creators didn’t like when he ad-libs because his comedy is not for the Buzz Lightyear audience. However, they do listen when Allan says, “Buzz wouldn’t say that,” to dialogue that is inauthentic to the character.

Hendricks feels close to Gabby Gabby because like her Benson, Hendricks also has a dummy.

She told the crowd that she always wanted a Charlie McCarty ventriloquist doll and had just acquired one for the first time when she got the call to audition for Toy Story 4.

Hanks says that the vocal gymnastics he must do to be Woody makes his diaphragm hurt after a long day of recording.

You really can’t say “Hey guys!” in monotone.

During the press conference, Hanks revealed that the cast was not allowed to talk about certain things, including the film’s ending.

Hanks took out a folded wad of papers and read from them each time someone asked a question pertaining to the end of the film.

The actors usually do their voice work solo in the recording booths.

However, they did make some exceptions. Hanks and Potts were together to record many of their shared scenes. Key and Peele recorded together as well. Allan did say that he was a bit upset that he and Hank were not recording together for this film.

Hale revealed that he is still processing the idea of being such a popular character in an iconic film series.

He said that he had imposter syndrome and was always waiting for someone to say he’s not supposed to be doing any of this.

I asked Hendricks if the character she plays in the NBC show Good Girls, Beth, would be friends with Gabby Gabby.

She said the two would get along. They do have a lot in common.

Hale announced that Forky is getting his own television show, Ask Forky, on the upcoming Disney streaming app.

Forky will partner with other Toy Story characters to answer questions that are weird but very interesting.

Toy Story 4 is coming to theaters June 21.

The post 15 Facts from the ‘Toy Story 4’ Junket appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.