For Father’s Day weekend, the Chicago Defender highlights distinguished Black men from our city who are outstanding dads.
When searching for a Father’s Day feature, I needed to choose a man who embodied the heart of the city. A man who serves as a culture carrier, community resource, and conversation starter.
Please understand that many men have these characteristics in Chicago, which made the search even harder. However, one man rose to the top of every phenomenal father dialogue I had with people. That person is Joseph Williams.
Williams founded Mr. Dad’s Father’s Club, initially designed to serve a need at his children’s school. He is also the 7th District Councilman and a devoted family man.
Joseph, The Man
For Joseph Williams, “Summertime Chi” may be his favorite season. Not only does it bring Father’s Day, but he also celebrates a birthday and takes to the memories of yesteryear with The Bud Bulliken parade and other thoughts, stuff that only a true Chicagoan can resonate with.
This Chicago native reflects on his tough childhood and the many lessons the city gave him.
“Growing up in Chicago wasn’t always easy. I ended up getting connected in a variety of questionable situations in my teenage and young adult years, which caused me to get locked up,” he said.
“I am not only fathering my children, but I am also showing up for other children who may not have a father figure in their lives.”
“However, I always attribute my children to saving my life. After getting out of jail, I found my outlet and purpose through volunteering in my community at my children’s school,” Williams said.
Through reading books at Beasley Academic Center, Williams inspired other community dads to find ways to connect with their children in this way too.
“At Beasley, we built a base of over 150 dads who wanted to come and read to their children, and this is just the beginning. From there, we created programming for fathers and created Mr. Dad’s Father’s Club.”
“I am not only fathering my children, but I am also showing up for other children who may not have a father figure in their lives. I know the burden of growing up without a present father, and I would not want any child within my sphere to feel that same void I felt as a child. For me, this work is extremely personal.” said Williams.
Joseph, The Community Activist
Williams continues to delve deeper into his commitment to the community through his daily work as the 7th District Councilman.
“This role is dope because I have five wards in my area that I am responsible for. What’s so amazing about this position is that it never existed and is something people have been fighting for fifty years. Finally, in 2021, an ordinance was passed to bring the city council in to make it an elected seat.”
The role is not only to hold the police accountable but to build relationships between the police and the community.
The Councilman hopes to restore the positive interactions between police and the community. “I have one of the hardest but most necessary jobs as a politician. Our biggest goal is to elevate and empower our communities.”
“I do it because I love the work. It takes all of us to have eyes on our youth and to restore broken communities. We are all village keepers,” said Williams.
Joseph, The Dad
Being a Black father is a weight like none other. On this Father’s Day, Williams will reflect on his fatherhood journey.
“Being a father gives me life. As I previously stated, my children saved my life. After getting out of jail, I found my outlet and purpose through volunteering in my community at my children’s school. Fatherhood shows me that I am no longer living for myself and that I am living for more.”
Williams says, “One cannot speak on fatherhood without first dissecting manhood. Manhood comes with its own challenges and layers. The best advice I can give is to truly learn from your mistakes because there is no manual for the life we live.
“Accept the journey and responsibility that comes with being a black man and father. Take the experiences and learn from them. For me, I just want to be the dad I never got a chance to experience. I use my platform to serve as a resource for many who are not as fortunate to have turned their lives around as I have. I now accept that what I represent serves as a blueprint for many, especially in the ‘hood.”
Above all, while Williams loves that he is an inspiration to others, his children matter the most to him.
When asked, what is the most important lesson you hope to instill in your children with you as their father?
He replied, “I instill in my children two things (rooted in street and self-knowledge): To be aware is to be alive. You should be aware of your surroundings and the things happening around you. The second thing I instill in my children is respect and love. Treat someone how you want to be treated. That’s it, that’s all.”
To support the work of Councilman Joseph Williams and Mr. Dad’s Father’s Club, come out to the Fathers March 2023, Saturday, June 17th (Noon – 4 p.m.).
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