Black Girl Dad Week is returning to Columbus from June 22-28 with events dedicated to supporting Black fathers and uplifting Black women.
This weeklong Columbus-based initiative presented by Male Behavioral Health is rooted in community building and family strengthening.
“Strong families build strong communities,” said Jewel Woods, founder and clinical director of Male Behavioral Health, in a press release.
“Black Girl Dad Week recognizes the essential role that Black fathers play in supporting Black women and girls while creating opportunities for healing, learning, accountability and celebration.”
The initiative aims to address critical issues affecting Black families. This year’s events will include discussions of relationship health, domestic-violence prevention and civic engagement.
Events are held in the evenings during the week and will feature political commentator Roland Martin and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, as well as marriage and family therapy, and a domestic-violence prevention events.
The week will finish off with a father-daughter dance and a date night event the following night.
Schedule of events during Black Girl Dad Week
State of Black America 2026: June 22, 7-9 p.m.; Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.
State of Black America 2026, with Martin, is set to start the week. This conversation with Martin and Beatty will be on the topic of Black democracy, political participation and civic engagement. The conversation is focused on addressing current issues facing Black communities, public policy issues while also discussing the future of Black political representation and strategies to increase political participation.
“Democracy works best when people are informed, engaged and empowered. This event is about ensuring that our community understands both the challenges we face and the opportunities we have to shape our future,” Woods said in the release.
This event is free while tickets remain available. Register at web.myle.com/eid/gAxM7UwuHkcLgB.
Black Marriage & Family Therapy Series – Part 1: Before Divorce: June 23, 7-9 p.m. Part 2: During Divorce: June 24, 7-9 p.m. Part 3: After Divorce: June 25, 7-9 p.m.; Church of Christ at Genessee Avenue, 1889 Genessee Ave.
The Black Marriage * Family Therapy Series is a three part series divided between, before divorce, during divorce and after divorce. Themes discussed will include sustaining healthy relationships, strategies to reduce harm to individuals and families during divorce, co-parenting and moving forward after divorce.
A Call to Men Columbus: Black Men Against Domestic Violence: June 26, 7-9 p.m.; 314 Church, 175 Fairway Blvd., Whitehall
This “first of its kind initiative” is a call to action for men in Columbus who are against domestic violence, stemming from a rise in domestic violence cases, as noticed by the event organizers. The event aims to engage Black men as advocates in an effort to end violence against women and girls.
The release stated the event is unlike traditional domestic violence programs that focus primarily on crisis response. A Call to Men Columbus seeks to engage men earlier – before violence occurs – by addressing the attitudes, beliefs, behaviors and emotional struggles that can contribute to unhealthy relationships.
The event will focus on conversations surrounding healthy masculinity, mental health, relationship wellness and more.
Black Father-Daughter Dance: June 27, 7-10 p.m.; COSI, 333 W. Broad St.
The father-daughter dance provides an opportunity for fathers, father figures and daughters to celebrate, connect and enjoy time spent together.
Tickets are limited, and according to the event website, they will sell out. Tickets are $50 for one father and one daughter, $60 for a father and two daughters and $70 for a father and three daughters. For more information and to purchase tickets visit blackfatherdaughterdance.com.
Black Love & Date Night: June 28; various locations
The final event of the week is Black Love & Date Night, which encourages couples to invest time into their relationships.
Participating locations across Columbus include Flavor 91 Bistro, 5186 E Main St., Whitehall, and Soul 2 Go, 72 E. Lynn St.
Reporting Intern Ella Diehl can be reached at ediehl@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Black Girl Dad Week celebrates, supports Black fathers, women, girls
Reporting by Ella Diehl, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ella Diehl, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
