In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by J. Michael Hall, M.Ed. Mike is the founder of Strong Fathers-Strong Families LLC, an organization that focuses on family engagement programs. Mike has worked with over 200,000 fathers and professionals in 45 states and a couple of languages. Using his vast experience as an educator, speaker, and thought leader, he provides targeted trainings for schools and organizations.

Mike is a husband and a proud father of two sons. He was honored as a 2012 White House Fatherhood Champion of Change. He's also a former middle school teacher whose circuitous path led him to partnering with school districts to better support fathers and, ultimately, their students.

Some Questions I Ask:

• Would you share your story with our listeners, so they understand more about you? (2:17)
• It seems rare to find a program that's really focused on the father's that's available in school districts. Is that perception accurate? (6:50)
• What happens to kids when their dad reads to them? (10:10)
• What's your key to success when you're reaching out building relationships with district leaders to implement your program? (6:18)
• You were honored by the White House in 2012 as a Fatherhood Champion of Change. That is an incredible achievement. Tell our listeners how that came about? (22:46)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• About Mike’s life story and the beginnings of Strong Fathers. (2:28)
• What Strong Fathers and other programs that focus on fathers do. (6:57)
• The effects of Dad’s engagement vs. Mom’s engagement. (10:11)
• Strategies for reaching out to build relationships with district leaders implementing the program. (16:25)
• About the White House Fatherhood Champion of Change award and why the Strong Fathers programs were recognized. (22:57)

Quotes:

“I'm trying to get where dads are. That's my mission. So we're going to get paid for that. But that's also where all the kids are, because this work really is about impacting kids.”

“90% of the guys are jumping in and when we tell them it's important to read to your kids. We tell them, ‘When you read to your kids, something different happens than when mom reads to the kids.’ That's what they need to hear."

“People think that you've got to deal with Black dads differently than white dads differently than Asian dads differently than Hispanic dads. And I do know that cultural challenges are definitely different. Culture may be different. But dads are not different. Dads don't love their kids differently. Dads don't want a different future for their kids. They, you, and I may not agree on what kind of future we want for our kids. But we all want a future.”

‍

Connect with J Michael Hall:

Strong Fathers-Strong Families Website
J. Michael Hall's LinkedIn
Strong Fathers White House Video
Strong Fathers Ted Talk Video
Strong Fathers Virtual Program Examples
Warm-up Exercise for Reading Night
"Why Would We Want to Engage Fathers?” Video  

‍