Fatherhood Is Leadership

Derek Phillips is the founder and Executive Director of the Real Dads Network, an organization that is committed to strengthening the institution of the family by promoting the positive aspects of fatherhood in all media. It is our belief that children do better, both developmentally and in the attainment of life opportunities, when both parents are actively involved in their parenting, regardless of the marital or living circumstances. In September of 2003, He co-produced and co-directed "Real Dads–Black Men on Fatherhood," a half-hour documentary with commentary by the late Ossie Davis that explored fatherhood through the eyes of Black men. In 2005, The Real Dads Network, hosted its inaugural Black Fatherhood Summit, moderated by the legendary James Mtume, and included a panel that consisted of Kurtis Blow-one of the first rappers to have a hit record ("The Breaks") in 1980; Barry Mayo, Senior Vice President and station manager of Kiss FM; Bill Stephney, co-founder of Def Jam Records and the group Public En