Fathers In Focus: Unity Walk & Photo Shoot

Fathers In Focus: A Father’s Day Photo Shoot and Unity Walk Event

Thank you for registering for Fathers in Focus: Unity Walk and Photo Shoot.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, June 20

Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Starting Location: Austin Park near Austin Boulevard and Lake Street

Ending Location: Austin Town Hall at Central Avenue and Lake Street

Parking will be located at Chicago West Bible Church: 5916 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60644

Men are encouraged to wear shades of blue and dress in their personal best. Fathers are welcome with or without children. This is a free, multigenerational gathering open to men and families from across the city.

Professional photographers will be present throughout the event, and photos will be made available afterward through the photographers webpages.

Following the walk and group photos, guests are invited to gather for fellowship and refreshments.

We look forward to celebrating presence, legacy, unity, and neighboring with you.

Grace and peace,

AR Daniels

Info: A.R. Daniels is a community leader, servant, father, deacon, and writer from Chicago’s West Side whose life and work center around the practice of neighboring. As Associate Director of Volunteer and Church Engagement at Breakthrough Urban Ministries and President of the Adams Block Club 5500, A.R. is deeply committed to strengthening families, blocks, churches, and communities through faithful presence, civic engagement, and practical love for neighbor.

Rooted in his Christian faith and shaped by his own journey out of street life at 18 years old, A.R. brings together ministry, leadership, storytelling, and community organizing in a way that is both grounded and relational. Whether mentoring men, serving seniors, organizing neighborhood initiatives, writing his book Neighboring: Loving Your Neighbor as You Love Yourself, or walking block by block through Austin listening to residents.

Info: Ashanti Pettaway is a Chicago based mental health counselor, speaker, and faith integrated therapist dedicated to helping people navigate trauma, anxiety, depression, relationships, identity, grief, and personal growth. He serves as a therapist with Optimum Joy Counseling, where he provides both in person and virtual counseling throughout Illinois. 

With a background in theology and clinical mental health counseling from Moody Bible Institute and Moody Theological Seminary, Ashanti brings together emotional insight, spiritual awareness, and practical therapeutic tools to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported. His work focuses on areas such as trauma and PTSD, religious trauma and church hurt, dating and relationships, racial concerns, leadership, family dynamics, life transitions, and helping people discover healing and purpose. 

Known for his compassionate and thoughtful presence.

Info: Kouri Marshall is a Chicago based civic leader, strategist, and community advocate whose work sits at the intersection of public policy, fatherhood, leadership, and community wellness. As the Founder of Daddy Victory Club, Kouri has become widely recognized for creating intentional spaces that uplift Black fathers through storytelling, mentorship, wellness, and community connection. His “Daddy & Me Strolls” and fatherhood initiatives have helped reshape conversations around the visibility, presence, and value of Black fathers in Chicago and beyond.

Info: Dr. Deondre’ Rutues is a Chicago based business psychologist, community leader, and social justice advocate whose work focuses on leadership development, workforce empowerment, public safety reform, and community transformation across the West Side of Chicago. Through his work in civic engagement, behavioral science, and systems building, Deondre’ has become known for bridging the gap between people, institutions, and neighborhoods in ways that center dignity, accountability, and long term sustainability.

Info: Michael Drayton Sr. is a Chicago based entrepreneur, investor, and community minded business leader known for blending business development, mentorship, wellness, and relationship building within both professional and community spaces. As the founder of Drayton Holdings and Drayton Wealth Advisors, Michael has focused on creating pathways toward economic growth, ownership, and long term investment in the communities he serves.

Known for his polished leadership style and emphasis on strategic thinking, Michael often speaks about the importance of financial literacy, business discipline, networking, and positioning people for generational growth. His work and public presence reflect a commitment to helping individuals think beyond survival toward stability, leadership, and legacy.

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Host or Publisher Adams Block Club, 5500