2023-Lance Gross_ A64A9841
Lance Gross and family
“Black fathers exist, Black fathers show up, Black fathers care. And if we don’t see it, people tend to think it’s not the case. So I think there’s a responsibility to showcase that. To show the truth.” -Tommy Oliver
Lance Gross with his daughter, Berkeley Brynn, and son, Lennon Lorin. (Photo by Tommy Oliver)
Despite what the media tries to portray, Black fathers are in their children’s lives. Not only are they present, they’re active. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported, Black fathers are more involved in their children’s lives than their white and Hispanic counterparts. They were also most likely to have bathed, dressed, diapered, or helped their children use the toilet every day compared with white and Hispanic fathers. We know that these men deserve their flowers, so this ones for the fathers — doing the work, making an impact, creating a legacy of love. Father Noir is a visual memoir celebrating Black fatherhood, created by Black Love founder and father of three boys, Tommy Oliver. Black love is fatherhood, and because we know how important visibility is to impacting the narrative, we’re highlighting sweet moments between some of our favorite influential fathers and their kids.
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All month long, Black Love is sharing the visual journey of Father Noir, going behind the scenes during the process of capturing Black joy and the special bonds between fathers and their kids, featuring Michael Ealy, Lance Gross, Karega Bailey, and Robbie Jones, as well as Keith Powers and Marcus Scribner photographed with their fathers.
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Black fathers, we see you. We support you. We love you. We know how much you are needed, loved, valued, and we will always honor you. To explore the journey of Father Noir through our Founder Tommy Oliver’s lens, visit Father Noir here, and if you’re in the Los Angeles area, be sure to come to our inaugural Fatherhood Block Party in Leimert Park Village on Saturday, June 10th, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Join us for FREE activities for the entire family, including a chance to have your photo taken by Tommy Oliver with your father!
Photo by Tommy Oliver
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