I started this blog in August of 2008 and I’m surprised by how fast it has grown. I have met some great blogger friends and have acquired new readers each month. For those of you who have not followed Mocha Dad from the beginning, I would like to share a list of my most popular posts so you can get an idea of my writing style and perspectives on fatherhood.

1. How to Treat the Man Cold
2. Sweet Potato Pie Throwdown
3. I Married a Hooker
4. What Not to Wear
5. The Joy of Cooking
6. The Barber Shop
7. Learning to Love
8. The Evidence of Things Not Seen
9. Parent Teacher Conference
10. The Cupcake Incident

Feel free to subscribe for e-mail or feed updates. I’d also appreciate it if you would share Mocha Dad with your friends. Comments are also welcomed.

Stay Strong,
Mocha Dad

Question: What was your favorite Mocha Dad post in 2008?

Tags: african american, blog, cupcake, father, fatherhood, joy of cooking, learning to love, man cold, Mocha Dad, parent teacher conference, sweet potato pie, top ten, what not to wear

I feel quite honored because Mocha Dad has received two awards this month. The first was the “Charming Blog” award and most recently, I received the “Your Blog is Fabulous” award. I would like to thank Kathy Sena, who blogs at Parent Talk Today, for bestowing the honor upon me.

Like most things in life, this award comes with rules. The recipient of the award must:

• Pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.
• List 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.
• Copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.

Here are my Five Fabulous Addictions:

1. My wife, K. She is the most beautiful, caring, and fabulous woman I have ever known. I love her so much and I cannot imagine living my life without her.
2. My kids, Nee, N, and X. Each has a unique personality and I enjoy the daily interactions that we have. My job keeps me on the road for several days each month so I cherish the time I get to spend with them. And they make me laugh with the things that come out of their mouths.
3. Dark chocolate. Eating dark chocolate is such a sensuous experience. Plus it has health benefits. Studies in two prestigious scientific journals say dark chocolate — but not white chocolate or milk chocolate — is good for you.
4. The Office. I love this show because it is so real and it is the funniest sitcom on television.
5. My laptop. It’s not an Apple, but it’ll do until I’m rich enough to afford one. My laptop keeps me connected and informed where ever I am. My wife thinks I spend too much time on my computer and she’s right. I’ll have to start weaning myself off over the next few weeks. Is there a 12 step program for blogging addiction?

To the authors of these Five Fabulous Blogs, I honor you with this award:

1. Tip Dad
2. Rice Daddies - Just as good as mom, but with a Y chromosome
3. Discovering Dad - Learning what it means to be a good dad
4. Wifey’s House
5. The State Of…

Please visit these blogs and tell them Mocha Dad sent you.

Stay Strong,
Mocha Dad

Question: What are your five addictions?

Tags: 12 step program, addictions, apple, award, blog, charming, dark chocolate, discovering dad, fabulous, kathy sena, kids, laptop, parent talk today, rice daddies, the office, tip dad, wife, wifey's house

I grew up poor. That fact became quite obvious to me when I started attending gifted schools in the wealthier areas of town. While all of the other kids had the latest fashions and the newest Atari video game systems, I had to settle for the clothes and toys that my mother could afford.

My mother was intent on breaking this cycle of poverty by making sure that I took advantage of every educational opportunity available. She could always find extra money for me to go on a field trip, attend art classes, or participate in computer camp. Her sacrifices enabled me to earn a college degree and obtain a career that allows me to live a comfortable life. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough African American parents who realize the correlation between education and poverty.

The percentage of African Americans living in poverty increased from 2000 to 2006 by an average of 0.82% per year, after having declined by an average of 1.25% per year in the 1990s. In 2006, 24% of African Americans were in poverty compared to 8% of whites.

Poverty rates were highest for families headed by single women, particularly if they were black or Hispanic. In 2004, both black and Hispanic female-headed households had poverty rates just under 40 percent.

These high poverty rates are unacceptable and should not occur in a country as wealthy as the United States. It is imperative that parents teach their children to value education and to take advantage of every opportunity to learn. It is well documented that people with a college education earn more money over their lifetime than people who do not. Education is truly the key to ending the cycle of poverty.

If you want to know what you can do to prevent poverty, start by reading a book to your child. It’s never too early to instill a love of learning.

Stay Strong,
Mocha Dad

Tags: african american, blog, children, education, mother, parent, poverty, school

I read several blogs each day and I’m amazed by the talent that I encounter. I recently came across a blog titled iAMrj.com. I was immediately drawn into the author’s post, “A father’s take on things that matter most.” The piece is insightful and heartfelt. It is the type of post I wish I had written for Mocha Dad. Have a look at it and let me know what you think.

Stay Strong,
Mocha Dad

Tags: african american, blog, dad, fatehrhood, father

My blog’s title is obviously a play on Mocha Moms, a support group for mothers of color who have chosen not to work full-time outside of the home in order to devote more time to their families. I respect their mission and focus, but I think it’s time that black fathers have a voice. I’m not talking about baby daddies; I’m talking about bonafide black daddies who are committed to raising strong, moral, successful children despite cultural and social pressures. Being a black man in America ain’t easy. Nor is being a father. Combine the two and you have a potentially stressful situation that causes many to abdicate their responsibilities. I want to celebrate the men who accept this challenge every day.

This blog will allow me to to post my observations, good or bad, on the state of black fatherhood and the black family. I don’t claim to be an expert on these topics; however, raising three children of my own has given me enough experiences to share. Even if I didn’t have kids, I could spend days commenting on stories in the news and on the web.

I have done many things in my life and nothing comes close to the joy that I have received from raising my kids. I know there are many brothas who feel the same way.

I hope you enjoy this blog and visit often. Feel free to post your comments and let me know what you think about it.

Finally, I want to give a shout out to Joyce Davis. Her blog Enjoycinglife encouraged me to start writing again.

Stay strong,
Mocha Dad

Tags: african american, america, black man, blog, children, dad, family, father, mocha moms