6th Annual Black Fathers Rock Celebration

Year 6!

With Fathers' Day approaching, what a fantastic time for Black Fathers Rock! (BFR) to celebrate America’s unsung hero – THE BLACK PATRIARCH. Author, speaker, host and Charlotte Champion, Ryan Jor El, is the creator of Black Fathers Rock! Ryan aims to help change the narrative and dispel the notion that all black fathers are absent, while providing them with resources to strengthen the family.

BFR! will highlight stories of amazing fathers, who exist in the Charlotte community, as well as provide resources for fathers who are in need of guidance. This year, we’re elevating the experience with a cocktail hour, live entertainment, meet & greet and h'orderves!

This year, we will celebrate with a cocktail reception and awards ceremony at a brand-new wonderful venue in Plaza Midwood. Our honorees will have an opportunity to mix and mingle with some of Charlotte's finest, while accepting their esteemed honor.

Black Fathers Exist.

Black Fathers deserve to be celebrated.

Black Fathers’ stories need to be told.

Black Fathers ROCK!

Below are a few of the awards categories and recipients from previous celebrations:

Father of the Year - This award will be for an individual that has unequivocally displayed numerous elements of being not only a great father, but a great community partner, a great mentor, a great leader in and outside of the community and one whose character and integrity are worthy of such an honor.

• 2018 recipient: Fred Shropshire
• 2019 recipient: Roman Harper
• 2020 recipient: Dr. Stacy Lemay
• 2021 recipient: Johnathan Hill
• 2022 recipient: Dr. Eric T. Ward, Sr. (Posthumous)

Dapper Dad of the Year - This award will be for the father who exemplifies qualities of a great father in the home and in the community and does it in the most dapper fashion.

• 2018 recipient: Eric Montgomery, esq.
• 2019 recipient: Yandrick Paraison
• 2020 recipient: Antwuan Cook
• 2021 recipient: Wayne Woodbury
• 2022 recipient: Curtis Bodison

Activist of the Year - This award will be for the father who exemplifies qualities of a great father in the home and in the community and has fought for our rights against injustice. He may have been on the front line during the riots or the advocate in the city council, or someone who used their platform to bring about a positive change in our community.

• 2018 recipient: Braxton Winston 
• 2019 recipient: James E. Ford
• 2020 recipient: Toussaint Romain
• 2021 recipient: DJ Blessed
• 2022 recipient: Greg Jackson

Entrepreneur of the Year - This award will be for the father who exemplifies qualities of a great father in the home and in the community and has his own business that makes an impact in the Charlotte market. Whether it be philanthropy, job placement, or otherwise, this person should have a documented successful business. 

• 2018 recipient: Sport E. Odie
• 2019 recipient: Chef Rico
• 2020 recipient: Bless Spencer
• 2021 recipient: Preston Gray
• 2022 recipient: Billy Harris

* As a purchaser of this ticket, you agree: (1) to assume and accept all risks arising out of, associated with or related to your participation in Black Fathers Rock! Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception even though such risks may have been caused by the negligence of Black Fathers Rock (BFR); (2) to be solely responsible for any injury, loss or damage which you might sustain participating in the event, even though such injury, loss or damage may have been caused by the negligence of BFR; (3) to hold harmless and indemnify BFR and 820 Event Space & Catering (Properties) from any and all liability for any damage to the personal property of, or personal injury to, any third party resulting from your participation in the event; and (4) to hold harmless and indemnify BFR and Properties, its organizers, associates, director, officers, employees, volunteers, and members from all claims, demands, actions and cost which might arise out of your participation in the Black Fathers Rock! Awards Ceremony and Cocktail Reception even though such claims, demands, actions and costs may have been caused by the negligence of BFR and Properties.

NOTICE OF FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY

When you enter a Black Fathers Rock! event or program, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by Black Fathers Rock! and its affiliates and representatives. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar Black Fathers Rock! events in the future, highlight the event and exhibit the capabilities of Black Fathers Rock!

You release Black Fathers Rock! its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings. By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, web casting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo or video taken by Black Fathers Rock! or the person or entity designated to do so by Black Fathers Rock! You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.

Host or Publisher Black Fathers ROCK