550 Cities are asked to Participate in the Largest Organized Back-to-School Effort in U.S. History.
(Davenport) - "Education has become a matter of national security. Because we cannot control our schools, we cannot control our economy. And because we cannot control our economy, we cannot control and protect our quality of life in America," says Phillip Jackson, Executive Director of the Black Star Project, U.S.A. The Black Star Project is sponsoring the Million Father March 2009 on the first-day-of-school in nearly 300 cities across America. The Million Father March has become a special day that fathers and men use to make a commitment to their children, their families, their communities and their country with their dynamic presence at a school. This is a real Fathers Day!
The Million Father March 2009 will play-out at thousands of schools across America and in other parts of the world. An estimated 600,000 men in 475 cities participated in 2008. This year, an estimated 800,000 men from 550 cities are expected to participate. The Million Father March also provides an escort of safety, support and encouragement to children of all ages on their first-day-of-school. Jackson says, "Gang recruitment, bullying and random violence goes way down on any day that has a group of men at a school."
Participeants in the event include fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, big brothers, cousins, significant male caregivers and friends of the family. Although the 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. Businesses are asked to give fathers and men 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. A special effort will be make to coordinate Latino Fathers in La Marcha de Padres.
Since schools across America and the world start the new school year on different days and months, the March will be a rolling event that takes place on the first day of this school year in cities, villages and towns between August 3 and October 2, 2009. The 2009 Million Father March is managed by The Black Star Project, U.S.A. and sponsored by the Schott Foundation for Public Information and United Neighbors, Inc. in partnership with the National PTA and the National Fatherhood Initiative.
You may email uneighbors@aol.com or call 563-322-7363 for more information.
