'Daddy's Promise', Ed Gordon's inspirational reality

By: Anastasia Semien

Posted: 12/1/08

Imagine if you had the power to make a dream a reality and inspire thousands in the process. Well Ed Gordon doesn't have to imagine because- almost overnight- he has done just that.

Gordon granted The Panther an exclusive interview to discuss his nationwide initiative and tour "Daddy's Promise: A Lifetime of Love," which purpose is to focus on the positive aspects of the African American father-daughter relationship and to initiate dialogue within families to celebrate the role of fathers.

A controversial subject that customarily comes up when talking about the African American father is his absence or lack of commitment to his family. Gordon says that this initiative will prove that this is not always the case.

"Not all black men are absent," Gordon said. He also stated that this initiative will "broaden the discussion particularly about the father-daughter relationship."

The creation of "Daddy's Promise" serves a two-fold purpose. It acts as a platform to commend those fathers who have been an active contribution in their daughters' lives; it also acts as a platform to inspire those absent fathers to rise to the occasion.

"Daddy's Promise is here to salute those men who have stepped up and been strong forces in the lives of their daughters. We are also here to encourage those who have not been the influence they can, should and must be," Gordon said on his website.

There was a college component to the tour; "Daddy's Promise" held town hall meetings at Morehouse College on Oct. 6 and Cheney University of Pennsylvania on Oct. 26. Gordon discussed why he felt that it was necessary to do so.

"No one ever talks to you before you're a father," he said. He also said that the purpose of those discussions were to focus more on the male-female relationship instead of just the father-daughter one. He promised and delivered to students "a real discussion."

Gordon urged ladies from the Atlanta University Center along with the rest of the world to submit photos of them with their fathers to his website www.daddyspromise.com to join the thousands of images already uploaded to the site. His site states that these priceless images do exist even though they are seldom seen in the media.

This initiative stemmed from an article that Gordon wrote in Essence Magazine in 2006. It seemed to have sort of taken off since then.

"The popularity we received was phenomenal. I had no idea it would touch however many people as it did," Gordon said.

Since June "Daddy's Promise" has been on a national tour. There have been several community events including panel discussions and town hall meetings in various cities.

The tour kicked off on June 12 in Orlando, Fl. at the 100 Black Men of America National Convention. Other cities included Detroit on Sept. 14 at Second Ebenezer Church, Washington on Sept. 26 for a panel discussion in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus, and two college-focused town hall meetings in Atlanta on Oct. 6 at Morehouse College and in Philadelphia on Oct. 26 at Cheney University of Pennsylvania.

The tour also stopped in Dallas on Nov. 14 at Bishop T.D. Jakes' The Potter's House and will stop in New York on Dec. 6 at The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York. The conclusion of the first year will be on Father's Day with a father-daughter dance and the publication of Gordon's book, also called "Daddy's Promise."