Miami Urban League Lead South Florida Efforts for Nationwide Back-to-School Million Father

MIAMI - Aug. 13, 2014 - PRLog -- MIAMI, FL, August 14, 2014– The Urban League of Greater Miami is joining forces with organizations from more than 700 cities for a nationwide back-to-school Million Father March. The movement calls on fathers to make the commitment to their children’s education by escorting their kids on the first day of school on August 18, 2014. This show of solidarity reinforces the Urban League’s Achievement Matters program and seeks to empower parents to play a more active role in their child’s education.

“We’re asking on fathers throughout South Florida to join the movement and send a loud message that their children matter to them,” says T. Willard Fair, President & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Miami. “We believe that the role of a father is critically important to a child’s future and the path they take in life and that better fathers become better husbands and create stronger communities.”

Spearheaded by The Black Star Project in Chicago, the Million Father March will play out at thousands of schools across America with more than 1 million men expected to participate. The movement is founded on research that indicates that children whose fathers take an active role in their educational lives earn better grades, score higher on tests, enjoy school more, and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college. Participants in the event include fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male caregivers, and friends of the family. Although this event is created by Black men, women and men of all ethnicities are also encouraged to take their children to school on their first day.

School administrators are encouraged to create an inviting environment that welcomes the fathers on the first day of school with refreshments, activities, and information about upcoming programs. Businesses are asked to give fathers and menwho participate two hours off that morning (with pay) to take their children to school.  Participating men will also be encouraged to volunteer at schools throughout the year.

The Million Father March is managed by The Black Star Project and sponsored by the Schott Foundation for Public Information in partnership with the National PTA and the National Fatherhood Initiative. This year marks eleven years since the first Million Father March in 2004. For more information about the South Florida efforts, contact the Urban League of Greater Miami at (305) 696-4450.