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Fathers and Families Center Presents
Strong Fathers +
Strong Families =
Stronger Communities.
A full-day conference bringing together practitioners, advocates, providers, researchers, and community partners to strengthen fatherhood, families, and community outcomes.
Inaugural Fatherhood Conference
Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Charles C. Daniels Jr., founder and CEO of Fathers’ UpLift.
DATE
LOCATION
October 7, 2026
Marriott North, Indianapolis, IN
SESSIONS
AUDIENCE
3 Breakout Blocks
+
Panel Discussion
​Fatherhood Providers, Community Partners & Advocates
Why This Conference Matters
Fatherhood is connected to nearly every part of family and community wellbeing, including child development, workforce stability, mental health, reentry, public health, education and long-term opportunity.
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Fathers and Families Center’s Inaugural Fatherhood Conference will bring together people who work with fathers, families and communities for a day of learning, connection and practical conversation.
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Sessions will explore research, lived experience, promising practices and cross-sector strategies that help strengthen fatherhood work across Indiana and beyond.
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This conference is designed for people who believe stronger fathers help build stronger families and stronger communities.
Conference Focus Areas
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Fatherhood & Family Practice
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Economic Stability & Workforce
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Health Equity & Wellbeing
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Justice, Reentry & Restoration
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Policy & Advocacy
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Research & Cross-Sector Partnerships
Who Should Attend
This conference is designed for professionals, partners and leaders working across fatherhood, family support, workforce, health, education, policy and community impact.
Fatherhood & Family Service Providers
For professionals working directly with fathers, families, children and caregivers through programs, coaching, case management or family support.
Policymakers & Advocates
For leaders working to shape systems, policies and partnerships that better support fathers, children and families.
Community-Based Organizations
For nonprofits, neighborhood organizations and community partners working to strengthen families and improve outcomes across communities.
Corporate & Workforce Partners
For employers, workforce leaders and business partners interested in economic stability, job readiness and family-supportive communities.
Healthcare & Public Health Professionals
For providers focused on maternal-child health, mental health, infant safety, family wellbeing and whole-person support.
Social Workers & Educators
For professionals supporting fathers and families through schools, homes, human services and direct community-based care.
Opening Keynote
Dr. Charles C. Daniels Jr.
Founder and CEO, Fathers’ UpLift
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Dr. Charles C. Daniels Jr. is a nationally recognized leader in fatherhood and mental health. Through Fathers’ UpLift, he has advanced healing-centered approaches that help fathers strengthen their relationships, address emotional and systemic barriers and remain engaged in their children’s lives.
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His opening keynote will challenge attendees to consider how communities, organizations and systems can better support fathers and families.
Conference Sessions
Breakout sessions will offer practical strategies, research, lived experience and cross-sector approaches that strengthen fatherhood work across communities.
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Sessions will explore fatherhood practice, family engagement, reentry, workforce stability, infant health, policy, research and community impact. Attendees will have the opportunity to choose from multiple sessions during each breakout block.
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Session titles, presenters and room assignments are subject to change.
Breakout Session Block 1
10:45 to 11:45 a.m.
More Than a Check: How Fathers Build Legacies Through Economic Ownership
Presenter: Corey Parchman
Explore how economic ownership, business development and wealth-building strategies can support fatherhood, family stability and generational impact.
Strengthening Father Reentry Through Family Engagement
Presenters: Keri Wayne-Brown, Angelo Stabler and Angi Blakey
Learn practical strategies for rebuilding trust, improving communication and supporting father-family reintegration after incarceration.
Black Fathers Matter: Insights on Engagement and Involvement
Presenters: Dr. Erica Campbell and Ms. Mar’Deja S. Alston
Examine research and culturally responsive strategies that strengthen Black father engagement and support positive outcomes for children and families.
Who Teaches Them to Love? Fathers, Dating, and the Digital Relationship Culture
Presenter: Rhyan Smith, JD
Explore how fathers can help young people navigate dating, digital relationship culture, respect and healthy connection.
Breakout Session Block 2
1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Establishing Impact: Measuring Program and Economic Outcomes
Presenters: Rebecca Nannery and Kristi Schultz
Learn from FFC’s impact study process and explore how organizations can measure outcomes, engage fathers in evaluation and demonstrate results.
Built to Lead: Equipping Fathers to Build Strong Families and Transform Communities
Presenter: Jeremiah Reed
Explore how intentional fatherhood, daily leadership habits and stronger communication can create lasting impact for families and communities.
EMOTE CTRL: Practical Tools for Healthy Relationships
Montay Fowler-Thomas, MSW, CPC
Gain practical tools to improve emotional awareness, communication and relationship patterns at home and in the community.
Fathers as Protectors: Engaging Dads in Infant Safe Sleep and Maternal-Child Health
Presenter: Dr. Levi Funches
Explore the role fathers and male caregivers play in infant safe sleep, maternal-child health and stronger family wellbeing.
Breakout Session Block 3
2:15 to 3:15 p.m.
Rebuilding Fathers from the Inside Out: Identity, Stability, and Alignment
Presenter: Davyd Hall, MBA
Explore how identity, purpose and life circumstances shape father engagement, stability and long-term family outcomes.
Beyond Engagement: Reimagining Fatherhood as a Driver of Family and Community Outcomes
Featured Panel: Anthony Martinez-Burton, Larmar Cox, William Murphy, Kelin Mark Sr. and Jarrah Hamer
A featured panel exploring how fatherhood can be positioned as a strategy for strengthening families, systems and community outcomes.
Failure to Launch: The Status of Boys & Men in Indiana
Presenter: Derek Redelman
Examine research on boys and men in Indiana and the challenges many face as they transition into adulthood.
Dadcamp: 20 Years of Building Stronger Fathers and Families Through Epic Father-Child Experiences
Presenter: Mark Bridenstine
Learn how immersive father-child experiences can strengthen relationships, improve communication and build lasting family connection.
Agenda at a Glance
The Inaugural Fatherhood Conference will include a full day of learning, keynote remarks, breakout sessions, networking and cross-sector conversation focused on strengthening fathers, families and communities.
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Attendees will have the opportunity to choose from multiple breakout sessions throughout the day. Final room assignments and select schedule details will be shared closer to the conference.
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Schedule, session titles, presenters and room assignments are subject to change.
Partner with us
Help bring leaders together for a day of learning, connection and action centered on fathers and families.
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Conference sponsors will receive recognition while demonstrating their commitment to father engagement, family stability, workforce participation and stronger communities.
Premier Sponsorships
Conference, Keynote and Lunch sponsorships provide prominent recognition, conference registrations and opportunities to engage attendees.
Supporting Sponsorships
Breakout Session and Networking Break sponsorships connect your organization with specific parts of the conference experience.
Vendor Tables
Reserve a table to share your organization’s services, resources and opportunities with conference attendees.
Be Part of the Conversation
Join professionals, partners and leaders from across Indiana and beyond for a day of practical learning, meaningful connection and stronger approaches to supporting fathers and families.
Early Bird Registration: $125 through September 1
Beginning September 2:
Nonprofit Registration: $175
Corporate Registration: $250
Space is limited to 150 attendees.
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | Indianapolis Marriott North
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about registration, the schedule, sponsorships and attending the conference.