Daily Inspiration: Meet Jesse Alex, Co-Founder of Dear Fathers

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Alex.

Hi Jesse, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Originally born in St. Louis MO now residing in Dallas, TX. My background is in Graphic Design and Marketing, and I’ve worked for several different agencies as a Marketing Rep, helping clients grow their audience.

I was raised without a Father in a single-parent home. Into my late 20s, I would unpack the effects of growing up without a Dad after realizing I didn’t know 50% of who I was. After doing some research, I started the Dear Fathers platform to amplify the stories of black dads across the world while providing resources for black men.

Dear Fathers is The Premiere Media Platform dedicated to telling stories of black fathers from all angles while also empowering our community with tangible resources that inspire, heal, and strengthen the black man. Our STR8 Mental initiative has connected over 2,000 black men to mental health specialists since May of 2020 via virtual or in-person spaces.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As I mentioned prior, one of my biggest struggles has been trying to figure out who I am as a black man and who I wanted to be as a father when that time comes because I grew up without a father figure in a single-parent home. Those thoughts, conversations, along with going through anxiety and depression at times, all prompted me to create a platform focused on the stories of black fathers while providing resources for black men.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Dear Fathers is The Premiere Media Platform dedicated to telling stories of black fathers from all angles while also empowering our community with tangible resources that inspire, heal, and strengthen the black man. Our stories, content, resources, and events aspire to uplift and equip Black Men/Fathers with the knowledge and opportunities needed to show up at their full potential. We help create engaged communities by activating our 4 Pillars of Mental, Intellectual, Financial, and Physical Health for Black Men.

Our mission is to create an ecosystem of black men that fosters community and overall development for black families. Our goal is to advance generational healing in the black community through our storytelling, exclusive content, events, programming, and resources that strengthen the black man.

We started our celebrity podcast to interview black men about who they are as fathers. We’ve had guests like Ced The Entertainer, NBA All Star Bradley Beal, MLB MVP Mookie Betts, Clifton Powell, Kel Mitchell, Actor Leon, Isaiah John, and more on so far. Our podcast has been highlighted by Essence, Scotch Porter, and our episode with Clifton Powell has been featured on The Shade Room, BET, Blavity, Black Enterprise, The Jasmine Brand, and more.

In April of 2022, we partnered with the Atlanta Hawks for a conversation on Fatherhood and Mental health that included panelists Ryan Wilson of The Gathering Spot, Stuey Rock of Hot 107.9, and Carl Payne II known for his role as Cole on Martin.

We also have written storytelling series like: 1,000 Fearless Fathers, Dads In Delivery, and a Daughter’s Memoir that gives people the opportunity to talk about being fathers and the impact that their fathers have on their lives.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
As black men, we’re not alone and community matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dearfathers.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dear.fathers/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dearfathers
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJfMNs0Uf6AHNGj9VprXvGQ