Name: Charles Obasi | City: Kansas City, Missouri | IG: @ecstoresonline_
What does being a father mean to you?
Being a father to me means being selfless. When a man decides to bring a human into this world he has by the virtual of that act given up his own personal interests, thereby channeling his thoughts and actions towards the good of his child/children because to whom much is given, much is expected.
Describe your experience with your father growing up and how that impacted you today.
I was raised by a highly principled, religious and morally embodied father. I learned from my father that the image of a man is inscribed in his children/family. He taught us to be hardworking, dedicated and above all peaceful. Allow your life to be an instrument of change, love and peace, he would say. These and many more made me the man I am today, and that is why I have dedicated my life to continue to be a positive model to my daughter and raise her to be a strong and solid BLACK WOMAN.
What things did you take from your experience growing up into your own fatherhood journey?
I learned that the society does not define you, rather to live above societal influence. At a point in my life growing up, my family faced some hard times but the dedication and commitment of my parents thought me to see light even in the darkest times. When my daughter Ellei was born, there were some little complications but I knew that the only thing in life without a solution is death but once there’s life then there’s hope. So when Ellei’s mom panicked, I encouraged her to draw strength and faith from mine that everything will be just fine. And everything was just fine at the end, today she is the happiest baby you would meet.
What advice would you give others new on their fatherhood journey?
The news of being a dad can be scary for first time fathers and anyone can understand that. However, the difficulty in being a father is when you don’t have the right mindset. The journey is smooth and fun when you open up your mind and heart to the task. “The Idea Is To Be The Change” and you can do that by raising a solid child and giving them the life you never had.
If you could write a quick letter to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would you say?
Dear Father, You had only one job and that is to raise your children and prepare them for the world that is full of challenges, you did that so effortlessly and for that I am able to take up same journey without fear or doubt.
