HOUSE OF UMOJA, INC. LEADS AND ORGANIZES 2010 NATIONAL MILLION FATHER MARCH IN PHILADELPHIA UNDER THEME "VIOLENCE FREE SCHOOLS"

CONTACT:  Mr. David Fattah
Coordinator - 2010 National Million Father March, City of Philadelphia
House of Umoja, Inc.  (www.houseofumoja.org)
Telephone: (215) 473-5893
E-Mail: falakafattah@aol.com

HOUSE OF UMOJA, INC. LEADS 2010 NATIONAL MILLION FATHER MARCH IN CITY OF PHILADELPHIA UNDER THEME “VIOLENCE FREE SCHOOLS”

PHILADELPHIA, PA (USA) – 19 AUGUST 2010 – On Tuesday, 7 September 2010 – the first day of the 2010-2011 academic year for the School District of Philadelphia -- Fathers throughout the City of Philadelphia will participate in the 2010 National Million Father March by escorting their children to school. The House of Umoja, Inc. (www.houseofumoja.org) is organizing and leading the 2010 National Million Father March under the theme “Violence Free Schools” throughout the City of Philadelphia. The City of Philadelphia is one of approximately 600 American cities participating in the 2010 National Million Fathers March which is facilitated by Phillip Jackson, its creator, and the Founder and Executive Director of the Chicago, Illinois-based Black Star Project (www.blackstarproject.org).


“The theme for the 2010 National Million Fathers March in the City of Philadelphia is ‘Violence Free Schools’. We are asking all Fathers in every neighborhood throughout the City of Philadelphia to escort their children to school on Tuesday, 7 September 2010; to pick up a copy of their child’s academic roster and the Academic Calendar of Events from their child’s school; and to encourage their child to commit to nonviolence by signing the Imani Pledge™. We would like Fathers to meet the principal and teachers of their child’s school. We are calling on Fatherhood Practitioners, social entrepreneurs, male parenting organizations, faith-based organizations, religious institutions, businesses, legislators, grassroots community organizations, health care professionals and providers, social services professionals and providers, and concerned citizens throughout the City of Philadelphia to encourage Fathers to participate in the 2010 National Million Father March; help to move our children to commit to nonviolence; and provide incentives for our children to excel academically. We all have a vested interest in making sure that our schools are free of violence and placing our children on a path that will help them become productive and successful adults,” explained Mr. David Fattah, the Coordinator for the 2010 National Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia.


In an op-ed article entitled, Fathers ‘March’ To Bring Peace To Our Schools, published in the 10 August 2010 edition of The Philadelphia Tribune (page 10-A) and authored by Philip Jackson, the creator of the National Million Father March and Founder and Executive Director of the Black Star Project, points to the National Million Father March as the solution to youth violence in America:


“Instead of relying on police and further criminalizing our children, our solution to youth violence in America is the Million Father March, which means involving a multitude of fathers in the continuing educational and social development of their children. Our youth need male role models and fathers to provide guidance and supportive discipline, and our marching fathers can provide this and do what the police have not done and cannot do – bring peace to schools and communities across America. Last year, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan helped lead more than 625,000 fathers and other men in 500 cities in taking children back to school on the first day during our 2009 Million Father March. This year, more than 800,000 men in 600 cities will be taking their children to school on the first day for the 2010 Million Father March,” Mr. Jackson wrote.


In addition to organizing citywide participation in the 2010 National Million Fathers March on Tuesday, 7 September 2010, the House of Umoja, Inc. will conduct a march from its office at 5625 West Master Street to the Guion S. Bluford Elementary School located at 5801 Media Street. Men are being asked to gather beginning at 7:00 A.M. at the House of Umoja, Inc. on Tuesday, 7 September 2010 for a light breakfast before marching to the Guion S. Bluford Elementary School in observance of the 2010 National Million Father March.


Individuals and organizations interested in supporting and participating in the 2010 National Million Father March in the City of Philadelphia should contact Mr. David Fattah at (215) 473-5893 or send an e-mail to: falakafattah@aol.com and are cordially invited to attend Planning Meetings for the 2010 National Million Father March which will occur on Saturdays beginning at 3:00 P.M. at 5625 West Master Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania through Saturday, 4 September 2010.

For further information about the House of Umoja, Inc., visit the organization’s website at www.houseofumoja.org or call the organization at (215) 473-5893.

For further information about the 2010 National Million Father March, visit the website of the Black Star Project at www.blackstarproject.org or send an e-mail to: blackstar1000@ameritech.net.