06/20/2026
✍🏾🌍Father’s Day 2026. “Oh my goodness, it’s Fathers’ Day,” was my response this morning. The range of emotions, revelations and new understandings that one has when your parent or parents have transitioned from this realm to eternity are beyond count. Life is a true re-integration process. But let me tell you, my #1 Champion of whatever vision, dream, undertaking, idea, make-believe play or experiment, from teenage years to adulthood through graduate school at DePaul. The Rev. Henry D. Martin was my #1 Protector, Lecturer, advice giver (without asking for it), super strict which I realize was protection of the gifts we were becoming to the world. My, my. You imparted so much!
It’s a boldness and unapologetic greatness that goes with me wherever I am. Words cannot fully express. He would drive me to Mizzou after weekends of being at home and the stories he would tell, instruction he would give. He told me his seminary stories and about his call to ministry before I even knew what that was. Before I knew that would be me some day. His unexpected death at 51 was literally a body blow to me. And that challenged me to really seek what I was here for in recovering from that.
I remember in detail our last conversation just hours before he died. Key instructions about going for what I am here for, my Assignment. I had just received the “Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Award” from Mrs. Michelle Obama who was then leading Public Allies. He had called to congratulate me on the award. He said my calling was different. And to go for it! A Dad’s parting words without us knowing they were parting words.
These days in Chicago, I have been remembering how he visited me, came to see about me, how he loved the Blues and we went to the Blues club on Halsted. And he even went to the Wild Hare for me. A father’s presence is so key. And his boldness, unapologetic love, dedication to the family and sheer adoration and love for my Mother, those values are deeply imparted in me and my expectations in the world.
Continued in the comments….
