The Original Influencer: What A&M Leaders Learned From Their Fathers

The original influencer: What A&M leaders learned from their fathers

The father figure in advertising is often carved from a single, stoic block of marble. He’s the silent provider, the one-man support system, the weary traveller returning home to a child’s loving embrace as a soft piano melody swells. He’s a well-worn archetype, a reliable piece of emotional shorthand that brands have used for decades. But behind the 30-second spots and the glossy print ads are real stories of fatherhood—complex, contradictory, …

Fathers Who Father the Community: Celebrating the Men Who Show Up for Us All

Not all father figures are defined by DNA. In neighborhoods across the country, especially in Black and Brown communities, some of the most powerful examples of fatherhood come from men who step in where others cannot. These are the barbers, the coaches, the pastors, and the teachers who help shape a generation, not with grand gestures, but through consistent presence, guidance, and care. Omari Valdez, a barber in East New York, put it best: “I’…