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Black Love: A Celebration of the Village that Raises Us
February 19, 2023 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EST
The Baton Foundation will host a lecture about Black love and the village that nurtures and sustains it. This program is free to the public, but registration is required.
About the Program
In recognition of Valentine’s Day, this program will shift the focus away from romantic love to, instead, focus on the love we each need to develop in ways that are emotionally, culturally and socially sound. Using her book, My George, as a springboard, Kathy Butler will give a presentation that celebrates Black love and those who nurture it in us individually and in our communities.
Ms. Butler will relate her personal story and tell why it is important for her to share this experience with others. She also will explore the healing power of “The Village,” and ask those in attendance to reflect on the individuals who raised them and the source(s) of love from which they drew strength. During the program, Ms. Butler will read excerpts from her book.
As a gesture of love from The Baton Foundation, we will make a limited number of Ms. Butler’s book available to attendees.
About the Book
My George: A Love Letter to My Dad, is a tribute to the man who raised the author, a man she affectionately calls George. The book celebrates George and Black fathers and father figures. Within its pages are heartwarming anecdotes detailing how George came into the author’s life and provided unconditional love, a sense of belonging, unwavering support and invaluable life lessons that taught her that Black life mattered before it was a hashtag. Through each story, Ms. Butler shows young people (who may not have biological dads in their lives) that they still can experience the true love of a father. The fact is, she says, that “although we often see ourselves as ‘fatherless children,’ the truth is, many of us have father-figures (stepfathers, godfathers, grandfathers, and mentors) that are parenting us.”
Equally important, the book is a way for our community to ignite a movement to #giveBlackdadstheirflowers and dispel the stereotype that suggests Black men are not active, present and nurturing parental figures.
About the Author
Kathy Butler, CA, is an author, certified child advocate and speaker and the founder of Comfort in The Storm, LLC–an organization created to provide education and awareness about child sex abuse prevention.