In Fatherhood, beloved NBA player, poet, childrens advocate, and devoted dad Etan Thomas speaks from his heart on what matters most in his life: being there for his children. As a leading participant in President Obamas Fatherhood Initiative, Etan has reached out to young men (often young fathers) in the juvenile detention system and in local communities. He knows firsthand the difference having a father in your life every day can make. Now he brings together a chorus of voices to weigh in on the importance of being a father in our nation today and to share what theyve learned from being a father, having a father, or in some cases not having a father around. With Original Essays and Poems from Taye Diggs Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Malcolm-Jamal Warner Ice Cube Howard Dean Tony Hawk Isaiah Washington Yao Ming Al Sharpton John King Lamman Rucker Derek Fisher Kevin Durant Russ Parr Michael Moore Chuck D Malcolm Shabazz Talem Acey Will Downing Chris Paul Allan Houston Talib Kweli Black Ice Cornel West Elijah Cummings Mumia Abu-Jamal Grant Hill Coach John Thompson Roland Martin Joakim Noah Arn Tellum Damian Marley Abiodune Oyewole Styles P Baron Davis David Aldridge Stuart Scott Dave Zirin Kevin Powell John Carlos Derrick Coleman J. Ivy Joe Johnson Al Horford Pastor John Jenkins Julian Thomas Ed Gordon Jr. Tito Puente Jr. Billy Hunter 13 of Nazareth Messiah Ramkissoon Through these inspiring personal experiences, Etan and the men hes gathered together hope to share the message that by standing up and taking an active role as fathers, men not only find their own lives more joyful and fulfillingthey pass on to the next generation an unshakable legacy of love, wisdom, responsibility, and strength.