Past Summits

Plenary: Changing the Narrative: How Michigan is Redefining Fatherhood and Strengthening Families

Shon Hart, Amy Lindholm

Shon Hart, founder of InvolvedDad, will talk about why he is motivated to serve fathers and families, his agency's service evolution over time, and his focus on changing the narrative. Amy Lindholm, co-chair of the Michigan Action Plan for Father Involvement, will speak to how Michigan is moving forward in greater support and promotion of local fatherhood programming and policies that are inclusive of fathers.  

Workshop 1: Cultural Humility and Fatherhood Goals

Michael McLeod, JD, MPH

This interactive session will be framed by four questions: (1) What is cultural humility?; (2) How can a man’s experiences, feelings, and thoughts affect his approach to fatherhood?; (3) How can a man’s behaviors enhance or diminish the legacy of fatherhood he leaves his child/children?; and (4) How can three tenets of cultural humility help men achieve their fatherhood goals?

These are the three tenets of cultural humility discussed:

•  Being committed to self-reflection and lifelong learning;

•  Recognizing and resolving power imbalances; and

•  Advocating for institutional accountability.

Entertainment curated by Detroit Musix: original music

Marvin Thompson, Jr.

Workshop 2: Dads, Doulas & Lactation Supporters: The Ultimate Collaborators in Birth and Breastfeeding 

Reginald Day, CHW, CLC & Jennifer Day

The birthing process can be stressful for birth and breastfeeding families on many fronts. Having doulas and lactation supporters as part of the birth and postpartum team can help the family have a better overall birth and breastfeeding experience. These support roles offer families, including dads, an additional layer of emotional, physical, peer, and professional support.

Workshop 3: When Dads Feel Down: Understanding Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Fathers

Dr. Carolyn Dayton

Men who are preparing to parent a new infant and fathers who are parenting during the first few years following the birth of their baby sometimes experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress.  This is new news to many professionals working in pregnancy and early childhood spaces! Most professionals believe that mothers are the only parents who experience conditions such as postpartum depression. Understanding the signs of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) in fathers is critical in supporting their early parenting and, therefore, supporting healthy outcomes for their babies.  This talk will describe the rates of PMADs in fathers, the typical symptoms fathers experience, and ways in which professionals can both screen and intervene in fathers struggling with PMADs. 

Workshop 4: The Papa WAS Project

Samuel Donald, Rich Tolman, Michael Aaron Jr., Marcus Hillie, Angela Peavy, Willis Peavy, Nazim Fakir

On August 27, 2022, as part of the celebration of Detroit Bass Day, the Motown Museum hosted a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the release of The Temptations’ recording of “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” The song features an immortal and driving bass line, which was played by 50 bassists on the Motown Museum Plaza. 

The Papa WAS Project grew from the powerful narrative that the song tells, reflecting on the pain of a father's absence. But there are fathers who are “beat down” in ways that keep them from their families. There are fathers who face challenges and show up for their children in many ways. There are men who are inspired by their own fathers and strive to live up to their examples. There are men who pledged to themselves not to repeat negative lessons from their fathers and are living into being there for their own children. All of these stories need telling.

The project continues to collect and post stories about fathers after the event, and the story collection is archived on the University of Michigan School of Social Work website.

Entertainment curated by Detroit Musix: saxophone performance

Michael Elder, II

Workshop 5: Who Can File in Family Court?: Legal Standing in Domestic Relations Cases

Lindsay Poetz, Scott Farida

To be successful in a lawsuit, the person filing the case must have legal standing to sue in the first place. Come learn who can file suit and when - for paternity, child custody, or child support. 

Plenary 1: A Practical View of Fatherhood from the Bench (w/ Q&A)

Judge Gregory Pittman

The idea of being a party to a court case can be very intimidating. When the future of your relationship with your child(ren) is at stake, it creates an even higher level of stress and uncertainty. Hear “real talk” from the decision-maker’s perspective, how fatherhood is viewed & ask that decision-maker questions about fatherhood.

Entertainment: Spoken Word

Lemarr Jackson

Workshop 1: Dispelling the Myth about Non-custodial Fathers

DeAndre Carter

Non-custodial fathers face many challenges.  Fostering a relationship with the child’s mother, navigating the legal system and policies, and managing their own emotions are among the foremost challenges. Join us to be inspired, educated, and empowered to address these challenges with innovative strategies for success.  

Workshop 2: Mental Health & Fatherhood - You Cannot Quit Fatherhood! 

Jonathan Lawrence

Fathers will leave with the understanding of how to manage the pressures of fatherhood, as well as how to identify their challenges as a father and how to address them from a place of healing. 

Workshop 3: Government Intervention and the Generational Effect on Native Parenting (w/ Q&A)

Jason Cross

The effects of historical trauma as a result of the boarding school and adoption project experiences on Native American parenting, specific to fatherhood. Jason will present Native American history and trauma from a personal perspective as it relates to his grandmothers’ experiences at the Mt. Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School.

Plenary 2: Fatherhood Representation in the School System & Implicit Bias

Kwame Simmons

Entertainment: Solo Artist

Gerard Brooks

Workshop 4: Kingz Table Panel Discussion

Facilitated by Cole Williams

Workshop 5: State-Level Policies Affecting Fathers

Dwayne Barnes

This interactive presentation will teach participants how to research, frame, and advocate issues with lawmakers, media, and community. We will brainstorm issues and build an action plan to address them. In addition, you will learn more about Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) and how to access our research, data, and network. 

Workshop 6: Co-Parenting (w/ Q&A) 

Norman Young and Dr. Shayla Young

One Love, Two Homes is an interactive learning experience based on the emerging parenting style: co-parenting from two separate homes. As experts of experience, we encourage co-parents to positively engage while keeping a child focus and understanding the role of C.A.S.H. (Communication, Accountability, Setting Boundaries, and Healing).

Plenary 3: Fathers and Vaccination Hesitancy (w/ Q&A)

Dr. Kwame Francis

A general overview of how vaccines work, an introduction to our body's natural immune system, and how we combat infections.

Workshop 7: Best Practices from Michigan Fatherhood Programs

Dr. Maria Muzik & Mike Acosta, Fraternity of Fathers

Adnoris "Bo" Torres, Strong Beginnings - Strong Fathers

• We will show how to use motivational interviewing, trust building, and culturally appropriate practices to successfully engage with fathers, father figures, and community men and will share relevant materials and resources.

Shon Hart, InvolvedDad

Workshop 8: Fatherhood Programs Panel

Moderated by Matt Haviland

Join fatherhood experts from across the state of Michigan for a live and interactive panel discussion. We will learn more about how to put best practices to everyday use when supporting fathers and families.