The Daddy Stroller Social Club: Building Brotherhood and Supporting Fathers in Seattle

Earlier this month marked the first Seattle Stride for dads, grandfathers, and mentors, an event designed for men to connect with their children and with each other. The gathering featured the Seattle Fire Department and the Buffalo Soldiers, creating a vibrant atmosphere for celebration and camaraderie.

The core of the Daddy Stroller Social Club is to provide a space for fathers to "take a breath, to just breathe, take a moment to just enjoy the sun, but really be with the people that we love the most." said Kelvin Washington, it's about embracing fatherhood, mentorship, and brotherhood, recognizing that many fathers deal with similar challenges regardless of background.

The club addresses a significant need in the community. Kelvin, originally from Houston, shared his experience with the "Seattle Freeze" after having his child. He felt a lack of direction and wondered if other fathers felt the same. He emphasized the importance of bringing this initiative to Seattle, a city known for its rain, where fathers are often seen navigating life with strollers and diaper bags. The goal is to "bring brotherhood to the city in a different way, with a different meaning."

For Najee Leadd-Ali who is also a member of the Daddy Stroller Social Club, it has been life-changing. He expressed that at one point, he "didn't have a space to talk" while going through personal struggles with his first daughter. When Kelvin approached him with the idea of bringing the club to Seattle, it resonated deeply. The club aims to create a support system for men dealing with various situations, including mental health and postpartum challenges, a key focus for the Daddy Stroller Club.

Nyema Clark, one of the moms in attendance that day, highlighted the often-overlooked presence of fathers, emphasizing that "they're here, they're present, they love their babies, they care." The club strives to bridge gaps and "definitely showing black folks that we are here. Dads are present."

The beauty of the Daddy Stroller Social Club lies in its ability to unite fathers who may struggle with similar issues but don't always discuss them. Bringing together dads with varying levels of experience—from those who have been fathers for eight years to those who are just two weeks in—is incredibly powerful. Finding others with shared interests, particularly fatherhood, provides immense strength. There is great power in the shared experiences represented, offering new perspectives and "more tools to go about this life and parenting my kids."

The event fosters a sense of mutual encouragement. As one father shared, "Just to look over and, you know, give another dad that be like, 'Yo, you got this,' is powerful." It's impactful to tell another man, "Hey, you're doing a good job," a sentiment not often heard by fathers.

The event also touched upon the isolating nature of fatherhood, with many experiencing "long nights, long hours caregiving" and feeling isolated. The Daddy Stroller Social Club provides a crucial network, even internationally, where fathers can connect and say, "Hey bro, I'm feeling this," knowing they will be understood. This growing community builds strength and provides mutual support.

The presence of organizations like the Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle at the event further exemplifies the spirit of community support. As they stated, "We love the community and we want to be able to give back to the community and let people come and enjoy this stuff."

Ultimately, the Daddy Stroller Social Club is about coming together, being together, and enjoying each other. It's about "liberation," being free to be oneself, whether it's "laying in the sun" or "waking up and seeing your son or your daughter." The club aims to "liberate fathers who thought they could not be the person who they wanted to be" and help them embrace who they were created to be.

To learn more about the Daddy Stroller Social Club, head over to daddystrollersocialclub.com