--- title: Leaders in the responsible fatherhood and family strengthening field to convene conference at the Pro Football Hall Fame description: Influential leaders in responsible fatherhood and family strengthening to hold a conference at the Pro Football Hall of Fame on June 6-8. All are welcome! image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_25th-intl-fatherhood-conf.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/responsible-fatherhood-field-to-convene-conference#main) - [![NFI mark](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI%20mark.svg)FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://www.fatherhood.org/) - [STORE.FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://store.fatherhood.org/) [![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=149&height=82&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=65&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=66&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=89&height=49&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Get Informed Get Informed - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - [Father Stats & Infographics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) - Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Find Your Stage of Father Inclusion](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-inclusion) - [How Father Friendly Is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Fatherhood Data & Statistics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - [How Father Friendly is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Other Free Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/nfi-free-resources) - [Talk With us to Get Started](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) National Fatherhood Initiative Blog / [Latest Articles](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood) [responsible fatherhood](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/responsible-fatherhood) # Leaders in the responsible fatherhood and family strengthening field to convene conference at the Pro Football Hall Fame 2 min read ![NFI_Blog_25th-intl-fatherhood-conf](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_25th-intl-fatherhood-conf.jpg?width=453&height=305&name=NFI_Blog_25th-intl-fatherhood-conf.jpg) This June, influential leaders in responsible fatherhood will converge on the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, for the 25th Annual International Fatherhood Conference. This is not just an exciting event in general for all in the field of responsible fatherhood. We at [National Fatherhood Initiative](https://www.fatherhood.org/)® are particularly excited as our very own Erik Vecere will be in attendance! On June 7th, Erik will be a panel member in a plenary session called ***Emerging Leaders: Future History Makers***. The session will discuss the continued importance of committed and inspired leadership in the fatherhood field. We hope you will be able to attend this exciting event from June 6th through June 8th, 2023. Read on to learn more about the conference and how to attend!  *This article was originally published at [EIN Newswires](https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/634276610/leaders-in-the-responsible-fatherhood-and-family-strengthening-field-to-convene-conference-at-the-pro-football-hall-fame) and is republished here with permission.**.* Influential leaders in responsible fatherhood and family strengthening will hold a conference at the Pro Football Hall of Fame on June 6-8. All are welcome! WASHINGTON, DC, USA, May 17, 2023/[EINPresswire.com](http://www.einpresswire.com/)/ -- The nation's most influential leaders and practitioners ever assembled to discuss why and how fathers matter to children, [families](https://www.npclfathersandfamilies.org/2023-conference), and communities will gather this year to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the International [Fatherhood](https://www.npclfathersandfamilies.org/2023-conference) [Conference](https://www.npclfathersandfamilies.org/2023-conference) on June 6-8, 2023, at the historic Pro Football Hall of Fame Village in Canton, Ohio. In addition to Pro Football's best, who will anchor the conference, speakers include: Clarence Carter, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Human Services, who is preparing to launch, the nation's largest statewide fatherhood initiative this Fall; Dr. Wade Horn, Managing Director, Deloitte and former Assistant Secretary, Administration for Children and Families, US Department of Health and Human Services, who led the effort to create the first government grant program promoting fatherhood and healthy marriage; Dr. Ronald B. Mincy, Maurice Russell Professor, School of Social Work, Columbia University, who as a Ford Foundation Program Officer, led the effort among philanthropic organizations to support community-based fatherhood programs that target low-income dads desiring better jobs and support to be successful fathers, and one of the nation's top fatherhood researchers, Seth Chamberlain, current Branch Chief, Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, US Department of Health and Human Services, overseeing a $150 million dollar annual government grant program to support local and state efforts in fatherhood and healthy marriage/relationship education programs that provide services to thousands of economically challenged fathers and families; Kenn Harris, Vice President for Engagement & Community Partnerships and Director of Healthy Start Technical Assistance & Support Center, who is leading the federal maternal and child health effort to expand services to include fathers in improving child birth outcomes through the 101 Healthy Start Programs nationwide; and Kimberly Dent, Executive Director of the Ohio Fatherhood Commission, the nation's only state legislative initiative providing funding for local fatherhood programs. The conference will include over 60 speakers and workshop presenters offering expertise and evidenced-based practices in responsible fatherhood programming, family strengthening and healthy relationships, and innovative human and social services programs to improve father engagement. This year, the conference will open by honoring fathers from across the country, from all walks of life, to be celebrated as a Favorite Father of 2023. Finally, the conference will have its annual Spirit of Fatherhood Hall of Fame Luncheon and induct trailblazers in advancing fatherhood policy, research, practice, and leadership. This year's inductees include Mr. Jerry Tello (Pioneer Award ), Director, National Compadres Network, San Jose, CA; Dr. Deborah Austin (Woman In Fatherhood Leadership Award), Director of ReachUp, Tampa, Florida; Mr. Robert Taylor (Community Practitioner Award), President of The New Life Center, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee; Dr. Derrick Gordon (Research Scholar Award), Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Director, Research, Policy, and Program on Male Development, The Consultation Center, Yale University; Dr. Rufus Lynch (Government Leadership Award), Chair of The Strong Families Commission, Philadelphia, PA; and Mr. Derek Phillips (Fatherhood Leadership Award), CEO and Founder of Real Dads Network, New York, New York. Jeffery Johnson NPCL Inc. +1 240-481-1873 [email us here](http://www.einpresswire.com/contact_author/634276610) [![Learn more about the Father Engagement Academy by National Fatherhood Initiative](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/135704/c81321f1-c981-43b7-aa34-e7e2228402a8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/135704/c81321f1-c981-43b7-aa34-e7e2228402a8) Date Published: 05/30/2023 Last Updated: 11/22/2024 ## Learn How to Build a Fatherhood Program That Works Download this free guide for a proven 7-step roadmap—from making the case and securing funding for your program, to launching and measuring real results! 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