Dad, Can We Talk? Third Annual Dad Walk
Anthony Ray, founder of Dad, Can We Talk?, hosted the third annual dad walk at Fred Cone Park at 2801 E University Ave. on Sunday to display the importance of fatherhood while walking through communities in east Gainesville.
Dad, Can We Talk? is a podcast for dads which was created in 2020 to focus on changing the narrative of fatherhood.
Since creating the platform, Ray said he interviewed over 125 men about fatherhood all over the world such as places like Michigan, Utah, United Kingdom, Virginia, etc.
Ray, a father of three, said he created the platform to change the negative stereotypes that were being portrayed in the media about Black fatherhood.
He said his vision for the dad walk is to have 100 fathers walking with their children and shared how inspiring the spectacle will be.
“Sometimes I get discouraged and I think people don’t want to attend,” Ray said. “It’s great to see dads, even if it’s just a few. I always try to accommodate as many dads as possible. I do this in hopes of family and fatherhood bringing the community together. It’s difficult but somebody has to do it.”
In this year’s route, participants walked from Fred Cone Park to Northeast 25th Street, then walked on NE Eighth Avenue, then walked down Northeast 21st Street towards East University Avenue to go where the walk began.
“This is about bringing the community together as a whole and giving parents a chance to bring the kids out the house,” Ray said. “It’s always good to walk and it gives something the community can look forward to. People can get out of the house for a good cause and for something positive.”
Will King attended the dad walk with his daughter.
King said he and Ray were classmates at Gainesville High School.
King said he missed the last two previous dad walks and made sure to attend this year to support his friend.
“I’ve been following his movement and I’ve been supporting it since the beginning,” King said. “I see it growing bigger and bigger every year.”
He shared that what he loves about fatherhood is creating an atmosphere for his child to thrive.
“I love the ability of raising my own to create a better future and change the trajectory of their life,” King said.
David Clulow attended the walk with his child after hearing about it through Ray.
Clulow said he is in his third year at the University of Florida and is a part of a design project to create social impact.
He said he is working alongside Ray with T.E.A.M. Dad, which is a Florida initiative to equip fathers with self-awareness, compassion, and a sense of responsibility to be a good parent.
The acronym stands for teaching, empowering, advocating for and mentoring men on their fatherhood journey.
“We are creating a proof of concept on an idea of a helpful tool for dads.” Clulow said. “When they finish the program, how can we keep them connected after they finish T.E.A.M. Dad? We are working with community partners to make sure we know what people need instead of making assumptions.”
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The Third Annual Dad Walk in Gainesville is more than just a walk; it's a celebration of community, family, and fatherhood. This event, initiated by Anthony Ray of 'Dad, Can We Talk?', aims to transform the narrative surrounding fathers, especially Black fathers, who often face negative stereotypes in the media. The walk features participation from a diverse group of fathers and their children, emphasizing connection and togetherness. Participants walked a designated route from Fred Cone Park, encouraging fathers to take an active role in their children’s lives while fostering community spirit. Events like this highlight the shift towards positive portrayals of fathers and showcase the real stories that average dads experience daily. Moreover, attendees learn about initiatives like T.E.A.M. Dad—a Florida program dedicated to equipping fathers with the necessary tools, including self-awareness and advocacy, to become better parents. The power of community events in strengthening bonds between fathers and children cannot be understated, and the impact is felt well beyond the day of the walk. Supporters of the dad walk emphasize the importance of getting out and engaging with the community for positive causes. This is just one of many efforts to uplift fathers and promote a healthier narrative surrounding fatherhood.
