J. Alphonse, Devale Ellis and other celebrity fathers photographed for the fourth annual Father Noir project

We’ve heard the phrase “Black Fathers Matter” and Black Love Inc. amplifying this message through his Father Noir project for the fourth 12 months in a row. The goal with powerful imagery is to dispel the concept that black men usually are not present fathers by highlighting those that have healthy relationships with their children.

Tommy Oliver is the originator of the Father Noir project. He can be the co-founder (along with his wife Codie Elaine Oliver) of Black Love Inc. and an award-winning filmmaker and photographer. For those unfamiliar along with his work, the photographer’s photos from the Black Lives Matter LA 2020 protest are currently on view at the Smithsonian.

Contrary to negative stereotypes about black fathers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2013 National Health Statistics Report shows that black fathers are indeed present and energetic figures. More specifically, the report found that black fathers living with their children are more involved in activities resembling helping with homework, bathing, reading to and fidgeting with their children, and taking them to activities in comparison with white and Latino fathers . Similarly, National Library of Medicine study found that black fathers who’re non-resident (meaning they don’t live at home with their children) are more likely than Hispanic and white fathers to share responsibilities and reveal effective co-parenting.

This 12 months’s Father Noir continues to feature photos of celebrity dads who explain these findings, including actor-singer Rotimi, star J. Alphonse Nicholson, NBA player John Wall, actor Devale Ellis and singer-songwriter Eric Bellinger . In the stunning photos, you possibly can see these stars sharing quality moments with their children in a way only fathers can (a lot of wrestling!).

Oliver himself can be the father of three boys – Brooks, Aristotle and Langston. We talked to the entrepreneur and artist about his views on black fathers and what he enjoys most about being a dad.

ESSENCE: What three things do you enjoy most about being a father?

Tommy Oliver: I really like spending time with my kids and it may be anything from reading together to wrestling – body slams, suplexes, power bombs, elbow drops – cooking together and playing board games.

What positive impact has Father Noir had on our community over the last 4 years? Why did you choose to present the project through images?

It’s an interesting thing because photography, as Aaron Bryant once told me, is possibly number six on the list of things I do, and yet Melvin Gregg, Robbie Jones and several other “Black Fathers” have told me that my photos are the only photos they’ve of their homes of them and their children, and those photos mean the world to them, which in turn means the world to me. Fathers are sometimes not superb at celebrating, and the opportunity to assist them capture the moment with their children, because seeing truly is believing, each for them and for the community, has been met with love, excitement, and even over the years of outreach at Essence, so take a look at this.

Why do you’re thinking that the media focuses more on absentee fathers than on present ones?

Because persons are lazy and uninformed and clickbait headlines do higher despite what the data says and how harmful it’s to our community to pass off things like truth. I’d like to see black fathers framed truthfully, that they/we’re present and loving.

What do you’re thinking that is certainly one of the biggest obstacles black fathers face?

Internalizing the way they’re falsely portrayed in the media. Plus, not having or constructing a daddy village of like-minded individuals who can support you in difficult times or simply answer questions without judgment.

What words of encouragement do you’ve got for fathers who’re struggling to care for their children?

Children need fathers of their lives, even fathers who feel like they do not know what the hell they’re doing, because who amongst us really does? Keep expressing yourself because just being there could make a difference.

Do you’ve got a Black celebrity father who you admire and why? What qualities do they embody?

There are celebrity dads that I respect because they’re great dads, not because they’re stars like Michael Ealy. He’s just an awesome guy who’s all the time there for his kids; he cares more about being a superb dad than making movies or TV shows. Give credit to those that do that work.

How do you’re thinking that black fathers would really like to be celebrated and appreciated?

The only celebration I want is the way my children take a look at me.

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Actor and singer Rotimi

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Actor J. Alphonse Nicholson

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Singer-songwriter Eric Bellinger