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Executive Director
Kenneth Braswell
Kenneth Braswell brings a spirit and
passion to this subject matter. It was his own experience with 2
daughters, ages 23 and 5 that has heightened his awareness of the
challenges faced by men seeking to establish or maintain parental
relationships when there is a divorce or separation. This knowledge has
been a catalyst for the formation of Fathers Incorporated and the
publishing of “When The Tear Won’t Fall.”
In 1992 I began freelance writing for our community
newspaper, The South End Scene. The paper began publishing in the
early 70’s. In 1991 the newspaper folded and there was a void of
community news and information. During this time I met Arthur Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell was a long time community activist,
newspaper founder,
co-founder of the Albany NAACP, a Negro League Baseball player and one of
the first African American’s to have is own radio show in Albany. 1992,
at 78 years old, Art founded another community newspaper, the “Community
Chronicle”. Although I didn’t like the focus of the newspaper, I
respected it for its focus and purpose. Through the years, Art became my
mentor. He taught me about community service, integrity, pride,
understanding, compassion, and most of all about the importance of media.
Because of it, I also placed my feet into another
communication arena; radio. I graduated from the New School of
Contemporary Radio in 1992 and immediately began doing shows on college
and commercial radio.
In 1994, my good friend and mentor passed away but not
before I founded WHAZUP! Newspaper. In 1994 desktop publishing
wasn’t what it is today. I spend many a night on my living room floor
cutting and pasting articles and ads. I published WHAZUP! for
seven years, until I begin working for the Urban League of Northeastern
New York.
Being responsible for communications and public relations at
the Urban League was a perfect fit. While working for the Urban League, I
learned more about community service through an organizational structure.
It helped me to further increase my understanding of community, in turn
giving me the ability to articulate that understanding better through my
writing. Working at the Urban League was bitter sweet. Because while I
stopped publishing WHAZUP! Newspaper, I began publishing
Urban Voices
Newspaper.
The birth of my second daughter, Nzinga Anasa preceded the
birth of Urban
Voices, but not by much. They both brought joy to my life and my
understanding of one (journalism) helps me with my understanding of the
other (fatherhood) in ways that no other teaching could have done.
Urban Voices Newspaper
celebrated 5 year of publishing and Nzinga turned 5 and is in
Kindergarten. Today, I begin a quest to share my experiences with other
fathers in the hope that they too, will positively engage in the most
precious gift god can give – a child.
And I attribute all of my upbringing, experiences and views
of the world to who I am today. A loving and devoted father. A concerned
and passionate community activist, an accessible and caring friend, a wise
and experienced mentor, and lastly a motivated, focused, and blessed child
of GOD.
Braswell brings community development, event planning,
publishing, organization, public speaking, program development, and
advocacy skills to the mission and goals of Fathers Inc.
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