When Dr. Lewis Brooks first started researching All Pro Dad he envisioned seeing hundreds of dads actively involved in helping to start chapters in all Shelby County elementary schools. And that is exactly what happened this week, as dads poured into cafeterias and libraries to have breakfast with their kids and to learn more about the initiative.

“I was overjoyed to see the number of dads that showed up to support this initiative,” Dr. Brooks said. “I am very encouraged that we can accomplish this together.”

Several schools held breakfast and information events on September 10 and 11 where chapter team leaders and principals introduced the program to dads and their children. Several schools are planning events for later this week and next week. In communities where there are elementary and intermediate schools, principals are trying to be intentional about planning their All Pro Dad events for separate days to accommodate fathers who have students in both schools.

Fathers who attended breakfast this week were given a topic card which included questions for them to discuss with their child(ren) on the featured topic of the month – which is leadership. Some of the questions where focused on the children, while others were intended for the children to pose questions of their fathers. The topic for the meetings in October will be creativity.

“There was a powerful sense of happiness,” Dr. Brooks said of the feeling in the cafeteria at Oak Mountain Elementary where he attended the kickoff meeting. “You could feel the joy and pride they had that their dads showed up to have breakfast with them.”

“Seeing them show their dads how to go through the breakfast line, you could see how empowered they were,” Dr. Brooks added.