Once upon a time, in a little town called Atlanta, there was a dad who decided on a lark to take his 4-month-old baby girl to the library.
He didn’t know it at the time, but the Georgia native had planted the magic bean that would grow into a giant beanstalk of brotherhood and paternity, known simply as the Library Dads.
Khari Arnold founded the group after his weekly outings with his daughter Ariah resulted became a keystone in his relationship with her. Not only did it become their special time together, but Ariah showed signs of developing those early literacy skills so vital to success and satisfaction in all walks of life.
Arnold thought other dads might want to find camaraderie in the activity, and begin inviting fathers in the community with children of any ages to participate.
Now, when the dads descend on a local library, Arnold’s mission and message is clear for all to see: dads show up.
Bonding through books and building brotherhood, the alliterative message is simple, powerful, and a cherished chapter in dozens of Atlanta dads’ day planners.
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“It was eye-opening to see other dads like myself who are engaged, and it was motivating as well,” Kassell Scott, father to a 3-yo girl named Amahle, told CBS News Atlanta, who also heard from Mr. Derrick Lampkin
Lampkin has been bringing his sons, Dominique and Tristan, to Library Dad events for the past year, and has started bringing his 7-month-old daughter Madeleine Sophia as well.
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“We continue coming because it shows my boys that dads show up,” Lampkin said. “They’re there, and it’s a good community.”
The Library Dads events are free, but often fill up quicky.
WATCH the story below from CBS…
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