Fathers, Uncles, Guardians, and Male Caregivers Invited to 20th Annual Million Father March in West Philadelphia
Fathers, uncles, guardians, and male caregivers are invited to participate in the 20th Annual Million Father March in West Philadelphia this Friday. The event is organized by the House of Umoja and supported by local leaders, including Philly-area event organizers Anthony Bannister-Fattah and Queen Mother Falaka Fattah; Jacqueline Taylor-Adams, Director of Program Development and Grant-Writing for the House of Umoja; and Maleeka Parker of The Afro Cultural Preservation Council.
The Million Father March aims to encourage fathers to pledge active involvement in their children’s educational success. The march will begin at 7 a.m. at the House of Umoja, located at 1433 N. Frazier Street—near 57th and Media—and will continue to Overbrook High School at 5898 Lancaster Avenue.
This local event is a spin-off of the National Million Father March, which started in Chicago, Illinois. This year’s national theme is “Civic Dads in Action: Engaged, Educated, Empowering Communities.”
Welcoming Children and Supporting Educators
“We are walking to welcome Overbrook High School children to school this year and to support whatever the teachers and the staff may need,” said Coordinator Anthony Bannister-Fattah.
Bannister-Fattah expressed concern about the challenges facing Philadelphia students. “Only 34% of Philadelphia students read proficiently, and the math scores are even lower. Mental health challenges are escalating post-COVID, and many non-custodial fathers have limited engagement with their children.”
The House of Umoja’s “Reading is Resistance” campaign takes on new urgency amid increasing nationwide book bans and literacy challenges. “In Philadelphia, reading is also under attack,” Bannister-Fattah added.
“Our banner this year is ‘Peace Lit’ — reading is our peaceful resistance. Fathers will march from the House of Umoja to demonstrate that knowledge is power, literacy is liberation, and fathers are on the front lines protecting their children’s right to read.”
Quoting Malcolm X, Bannister-Fattah emphasized, “There is no peace without freedom, and there is no freedom without education.” He noted that hundreds of fathers are prepared to walk their children to school, underlining the importance of safe school corridors for students regardless of external pressures.
A Legacy of Community Care
The House of Umoja has a long-standing reputation for supporting teens, boys, and young men since its founding in the 1960s by Queen Mother Falaka Fattah and her late husband, Dr. David Fattah, an educator and activist. Their mission was to end gang wars in Philadelphia by offering peaceful alternatives to youth involved in gang conflicts. Over the years, they have served over 3,000 teens and young men committed to peace.
The Importance of Fathers in Education
“It is important for us to understand that a father’s involvement in a child’s education is crucial,” said Queen Mother Falaka Fattah, who will celebrate her 94th birthday during Kwanzaa this year.
She emphasized the positive impact of paternal involvement: “When a father is involved, there’s less absenteeism, fewer behavioral disruptions, and increased graduation rates. It gives the child an illumination that only a man can give.”
Focusing on Philadelphia’s absentee fathers—whether due to divorce, separation, or incarceration—she noted, “A father can appoint a family member as a surrogate to remain involved. Fathers play a vital role throughout a child’s development.”
Falaka Fattah also called on fathers citywide to come out, walk with the marchers, and vote. “We ask that fathers go where their children go to school and become involved.”
Engagement and Social Media
Fathers participating in the march are encouraged to film and share their experiences on social media using the hashtags #MFM (Million Father March) and #HouseofUmoja, said Bannister-Fattah.
While local dads do not have to register to participate, those who sign up on the House of Umoja website will receive a free “House of Umoja: We Come in Peace” T-shirt.
More information about the national effort is available online at https://fathersincorporated.com.
Event Delays and Resilience Amid Challenges
This year’s event was delayed in Philadelphia due to SEPTA budget cuts, fare changes, and route issues affecting students returning to school, according to Queen Mother Falaka Fattah. Traditionally, the march coincides with the first day of school.
Despite a devastating fire in July that destroyed the House of Umoja’s main office at 5625 Master Street, organizers remain committed to carrying out the march.
The fire, caused by an electrical issue with an air conditioner plugged into an extension cord, resulted in significant fire and water damage. “I bought my first house on this block when I was 17—I’m now 93—and I’m not going anywhere until God calls me,” said Mother Falaka Fattah. “I’ll be right here.”
Honoring Umoja Magazine’s 57th Anniversary
This year also marks the 57th anniversary of Umoja Magazine, which will be distributed during the march. Bannister-Fattah announced a call for articles from writers of all ages for the October 31 issue.
“This historic issue will feature intergenerational voices of fathers and children sharing their literacy journeys as acts of peaceful resistance against educational oppression,” he said. “It will also include community members discussing culture and the value of human life.”
A Call to Action
“This event is about making sure our children get to school safely and continue to have safe passages,” Bannister-Fattah stated. “It’s about connecting with children throughout the school year — through homework help, mentoring, volunteering, or just showing up for your child’s PTA meetings. We refuse to let a fire, transit cuts, or any other obstacles stop us from being the difference in our children’s lives.”
Community Support
The march is supported by several local organizations, including the non-violence nonprofit Philly Truce, founded by Mazzie Casher—also known as “Grand Agent,” a hip-hop artist and author of the e-book “Brotherly Action.”
The event also has the backing of Skylark Motion, whose founder teaches aviation and computer repair, donating repaired computers to the community, and the Afro Cultural Preservation Council. Maleeka Parker of the council expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration: “I just want to watch the dynamics of all of this coming together.”
Jacqueline Taylor-Adams underscored the importance of male involvement: “This is about men mentoring. Fathers, uncles, and community members need to get involved. We encourage them to pledge to go to their children’s schools, review school rosters and calendars, and meet the teachers. Men’s presence at schools makes a real difference.”
Join the 20th Annual Million Father March this Friday to support our children, promote literacy, and empower communities in Philadelphia.
For more details and to register for a free T-shirt, visit the House of Umoja website.
https://www.phillytrib.com/million-fathers-march-from-umoja-house-to-overbrook-high-school-this-friday-at-7-am/article_0df32f6f-5301-478d-9a6d-5cd9f68b3467.html
