In honor of Father’s Day, The Root is taking a special look at the Black fathers who are currently serving in the Biden-Harris administration. These men exemplify the meaning of strength, leadership and love. In addition, all 15 dads highlighted here share what fatherhood means to them.
Number of Children: 7-year-old son
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “Fatherhood to me is a calling. You are entrusted with the responsibility of creating a nurturing environment that allows your child to feel free to explore the world around them, discover who they are and live out their dreams. Working in transportation, I have the privilege of helping towns, cities, and states all over the country build places that are welcoming and accessible for all. In doing this work, I can’t help but think about the future of our communities through the eyes of my 7-year-old son. Soon, he will be a leader in this world and I want to make sure I play my part in making it better for him.”
Number of Children: 2 (now adult) daughters
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “Fatherhood is the greatest gift from God. It gives you the opportunity to make a timeless and potentially eternal gift to humanity – all through your work in helping to shape and develop genuinely good human beings. Work life balance will never be easy, all you can do is to seek harmony. I find my harmony by always prioritizing my faith and family. It makes me a better professional and public servant.”
Number of Children: 2 adult daughters
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “Fatherhood has been full of challenges that have made me and, hopefully, my family better. Providing our daughters with support, exposure, and opportunities while witnessing them grow into thoughtful, capable, and caring ladies has been the most fulfilling experience of my life; they continue to be a source of tremendous pride.”
Number of Children: 2 children
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “My duty first and foremost is to my family. It is something that the President has made clear to me in all my years working with him. My role in the Administration as Deputy Commerce Secretary is to build a better country and future for my children and everyone else’s children. I try to find as much time as I can with my kids – whether it’s watching Marvel movies together or camping – it’s about finding joy in every moment we spend together even if it’s as mundane as singing while we’re doing dishes.”
Number of Children: 3 children: Marcus (boy), 28; Nailah (girl), 20; Chancellor (girl), 2
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “This is a taxing job, but I am able to successfully do my job because of the strong support my wife provides me as a partner. Although the job is challenging and comes with extended hours, I am extremely intentional with my daddy-daughter time every week. I am always in the pool for her weekly swim classes, I always take her to the park on the weekends, I always try my best to eat dinner with my wife and daughter, and every evening I am the parent she spends her final hours with before dozing off for bed. Fatherhood is the most important job I have and if my profession prevented me from that primary job, I would give it up in a heartbeat.”
Number of Children: 3 adult children
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “To me, Fatherhood means being present for your children, setting an example, exposing them to their family history and our rich African American culture. Being present physically when possible as they are growing up and available virtually at all times as they navigate life’s ups and downs. I have 3 grown children who each achieved milestones during my tenure in the Biden Harris Administration. I have done my best to be present for all of them as I am geographically separated from my home in northern California. I have traveled to see them and hosted them here in Washington and shared my enthusiasm for the work I do and the administration I represent.”
Number of Children: 2 boys
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “Fatherhood, to me, is having the privilege to give my kids what they need (comfort, humor, protection, song, play, guidance, education, kisses) so that they feel seen and loved, and can become the best possible version of themselves. I balance work responsibilities with family life by being intentional with my time, checking in with each member of my family, and being present when we are together.”
Number of Children: 1-year-old daughter
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “My one-year-old daughter, Tabitha Morrissette, is the embodiment of why I work as hard as I do every day. In her face I see hope of a future yet to come, and what my sacrifice and contributions could mean. Her effervescent love and joy are my motivation when I am down and in a reflective place in times of solitude. Being Tabitha’s father is a defining part of who I am, and I am enterally grateful for her and my wife, who both make me whole in a way I never knew I could be. To help manage my work leading the MBDA and my duties as a dad, I am strengthened by the power of prayer, the support of my wife, and his thoughtful and empathetic MBDA leadership team.”
Number of Children: 10-year-old son
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “As Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, I am responsible for ensuring every person in this country – regardless of the color of their skin, the community they live in, or the money in their pocket—has clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and the opportunity to live a healthy life. And while that’s an important job, my number one job is being 10-year-old Matthew’s dad. Science shows that children are impacted by climate change and pollution the most, so these jobs go hand in hand as President Biden and EPA work every day to secure cleaner air, water, and land for the young people of today and future generations.”
Number of Children: 2 children, 9 and 6 years old
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “I am a husband, a father to two beautiful children (ages: nine and six years old), a mentor, and a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. I have the privilege of having two amazing children and a wonderful wife. Our children’s development and wellbeing are our priority. As an involved Father, it is essential that I am efficient with the daily management of my schedule, take care of my health, and maximize quality family time. Communication is the most important tool at disposal as I continue my fatherhood journey. Communication keeps expectations, commitments, priorities, and relationships aligned. I am grateful for having an involved father, and insightful mother, and for all of the mentors who poured parenting advice into me.”
Number of Children: 2 children, 8 and 5 years old
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “I have always told my friends that becoming a father has helped me become a better person – more loving, more patient, and more open. I have an 8-year old and a 5-year old, so relatively young kids. Fatherhood has been a true gift – the opportunity to guide and teach my little ones, but more than anything the blessing of seeing day-by-day how they grow even more into themselves. Balancing being a public official and a father is hard work, but the real secret sauce is that I have an amazing wife who both supports and anchors me and my family. And, of course, amazing kids – even on my hardest day, they are always there with big smiles and warm hugs!”
Number of Children: Expecting his 1st child—a baby boy—on July 12th
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “In talking with other fathers I know personally and professionally, I was surprised by the most repeated bit of advice: Take all of your paid parental leave! A number of fathers intimated that they had felt generalized pressure to return to work as quickly as possible after welcoming a child, and in hindsight, wished they would have taken all their leave to bond with their child and support their partner. Following this advice, I plan on taking all of my leave and will split it across two periods, with the earlier period for the birth and the later period being used to support [my wife] Dana’s transition back to her work as a professor at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. In doing so, I hope to do my best to model co-equal parenting for the next generation of fathers.”
Number of Children: 3, two adult children and one young daughter
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “As one of the few Father-Daughter appointees, our collective journey exemplifies the values our family hold dear and sets a powerful example for her siblings and peers, demonstrating the profound impact of dedication, integrity, and hard work and that our country’s future because of her generation’s commitment to high ideals of country. Our family’s involvement in public service is a testament to the values instilled in us by generations before and serves as a beacon of hope for future generations. It is our sincere belief that through our service, we can contribute to building a better, more equitable society. My daughter’s commitment to public service, alongside my own, underscores the enduring legacy of civic duty and the positive influence it has on shaping responsible, engaged citizens.”
Number of Children: 2 boys, aged 3 years and 9 months
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “I work on climate and community so Fatherhood is a great blessing. When I’m with my sons they cause me to be present in the moment and re-introduce me to the simple joys of our incredible world. When I’m away from them, I carry their innocence and awe and joy into my work. Put simply, they give me hope.”
Number of Children: 2, a young daughter and son
Thoughts on Fatherhood: “As Chief of Staff of the Domestic Policy Council, I’m responsible for ensuring that our team is driving the President’s agenda towards improving the lives of Americans. That means having people on the team that represent America’s diversity. To me, fatherhood means responsibility. Not only to my children but to helping other kids have the same opportunities that my daughter and son are afforded. I’m only able to do my job due to my amazing wife who’s also at the White House. We’re constantly working logistics so we can maximize the time that we spend with our children while working demanding jobs.”
