Dads United Organization (D.U.O) was founded in 2015 with a mission of establishing a strong community of Black fathers. (Courtesy photo)

By Michelle Richardson
Special to the AFRO

Society feeds us the stereotype that Black men don’t take care of their children, but Dads United Organization (D.U.O.) seeks to dispel that myth by bringing fathers together in Baltimore City. 

Dads United Organization was founded in 2015 by West Baltimore native and father Michael Cornish and officially became an LLC in late 2017. 

“The mission of Dads United Organization is to educate, advocate, elevate and develop a strong community of Black fathers that are engaged in their neighborhoods by creating safe spaces for healing and bonding,” Cornish explained. 

D.U.O. came to fruition when Cornish, the father of a 9-year-old son, went through a custodial process and found that there were few resources for fathers in general. 

“During that process, I realized that it was extremely limited on a very obvious level. It was very hard, so I started getting angry. I started complaining, but then I started looking around like ‘Hold on. We don’t even advocate for fathers.’ So why am I complaining about somebody advocating for me when I’m not even advocating for me.” Cornish passionately stated. 

D.U.O. hosts various events within the community centered on father and child bonding. Their website boasts upcoming events like paint classes, the D.U.O. Performing Arts Expo, community cleanups, in-person and online vegan workshops, and “Comedy In The Park.” 

“We did our community ‘Diapers for Dads Giveaway’ where we gave out 1,300 packs of diapers and we gave out about 200-300 packs of feminine hygiene products,” said Cornish. 

The organization also promotes health and wealth by partnering with vendors such as “Healthy People Juice” and offering fresh pressed organic juices at events. 

“It’s a beautiful thing. Kids can go up and say ‘I want cucumber, apples and carrots,’ and it’s a beautiful thing. Like, we’re sipping life. It was dope.” 

According to Cornish, you don’t have to be a dad to be a part of D.U.O. All you have to do is show up! 

“The best way to be a part of Dads United is to be organic and come around. It’s easy to get people in numbers. I don’t want numbers. I want serious people that’s really dedicated to the mission of building a nation of fathers. How willing are you to be engaged?” Cornish said firmly. 

Cornish believes fatherhood is the answer to a lot of the challenges that are faced in today’s societies. 

“How do you lower the crime rate? Fatherhood. How do you address a child’s attendance in school? Fatherhood. I guarantee that if you have a block of 40 fathers and the fathers are operating under the vision that we are a nation of fathers, we operate together. We help each other out. We are like a fraternity.” 

On the organization’s Facebook page, there are even jobs posted for fathers looking for work. 

“We’re really waiting for Black men to be vulnerable with each other and build with each other so that we can trust again.”

Just recently, D.U.O’s center was broken into and thousands of donations were stolen. Hand sanitizer, diapers, and wipes were all donated but were stolen. Cornish and his team set up a GoFundMe page which can be found on the organization website. 

Dads United Organization can be reached via their Facebook page at Dads United Organization, or on the organization website: www.dadsunited.us.