By Reginald Williams,
Special to the AFRO
Jeffrey “J-Raz” Roscoe hosted his annual Father’s Day cookout on June 18 which started out 25 years ago as a way to celebrate the Black fathers who are investing in their children and communities.
Over the years, the event has evolved into a major event in Clinton. Md, complete with free food, fun, music and health screenings at Cosca Park.
Roscoe launched the initiative in 1998 because he recognized the energy extended to fathers on Father’s Day could use more affection.
“As a single father, I wanted to celebrate fathers,” Roscoe said. “I wanted to give fathers like myself something to look forward to on Father’s Day.”
The cookout celebrates all fathers, biological dads, non-biological fathers and surrogate fathers. Many statistics project Black fatherlessness as an issue due to children being born out of wedlock, however numerous studies contradict this.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 58 percent of Black fathers live with one or more of their children and an even larger majority, a total of 72.7 percent of Black fathers, talk with their children about things that happened during the day several times a week or more— whether they live with their children or not.
“I recognize all fathers because they stepped up and accepted the challenge to be the primary male figure in the life of a child or children,” said Roscoe. “It’s not always the biological dad who is present, so the man that steps up should be acknowledged and celebrated.”
The Landover, Md. native who was a county council candidate in 2018, became the custodial parent to his six-month-old son after the mother died in a car accident.
Roscoe wants his fatherhood experience to motivate others.
“As a father, I stand with all fathers. Therefore, we must always be conscious to celebrate with one another.”
Reginald Williams, the author of “A Marginalized Voice: Devalued, Dismissed, Disenfranchised & Demonized” writes on Black men and Holistic Health concerns. Please email bookreggie@reginaldwilliams.org or visit amvonlinestore.com for more information.
