Brandon Hay created Black Daddies Club as a safe space for black fathers to speak about challenges, as well as victories, as parents and partners. Find out how he is making a difference in people’s lives and what he recounts as his top career milestone in today’s YEDaily…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your business in a nutshell.
Black Daddies Club creates safe spaces for black fathers for us to speak about our challenges as well as victories as parents, also to work with the media to create an alternate, more positive image of black fathers.
Why did you start your business, what was the inspiration?
My inspiration was a few things: I am a black father who was looking for support but there wasn’t any and I felt isolated as a father and I was looking for support. I was tired of feeling that my role as a father wasn’t as important.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of my day is dialoguing with fathers and realizing that we have more things in common than differences, that we do not have to be isolated, that we can support each other. The challenging part sometime is keeping the faith, with minimal funding. The work seems so insurmountable at times; that the work you put in sometimes doesn’t match the rewards
Where do you see your business going in 5 years?
I see Black Daddies Club having an international network of clubs, doing more documentation and research of black fathers, and also having satellite spaces around the country
What does success look like to you?
Success looks like fathers feeling supported while going through issues and feeling optimistic as their roles both as fathers and partners.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
I have many milestones, such as speaking at TEDxToronto, but if I had to choose one it would be going into the prisons to work with young fathers – it was an eye opener as to how many young black men are incarcerated.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Build a great network around you, and find personal mentors or a personal advisory group that is willing to give you advice and keep you focused through hardship. Also keep focused and persistent.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Eva’s Phoenix Shelter; I have done some workshops there working with young men who are in between homes, and it’s important to me because I realized that there are so many intelligent and good people who are homeless but have been dealt some tough cards to work through – but these individuals still thrive.
What is Notable to you?
“Working for good, not for free.”
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
Blackberry, but I am moving to iPhone once my contract is up (lol).
How do you keep active, energetic, and vibrant?
I keep active by playing with my three sons (Tristan, Julian and Elijah) and going to the gym; I keep vibrant by praying and thanking God for all my blessing.
