CHICAGO — As Black men in Chicago continue to battle deep-rooted barriers to employment, housing, and economic stability, a growing number of fathers are finding support in an often-overlooked resource: each other.
A recent report released by two advocacy organizations — Equity and Transformation (EAT) and Fathers, Families & Healthy Communities (FHHC) — sheds light on the complex struggles of Black fatherhood in the city. The study, titled “Breaking the Chains: Reclaiming Wealth, Power, and Dignity for Black Men,” chronicles the experiences of over 100 Black men from Chicago’s South and West Sides — many of whom are formerly incarcerated — as they try to rebuild their lives and identities as fathers.
Barriers Beyond the Surface: Joblessness, Housing, and Stigma
According to the study, the challenges facing these men aren’t new — they are deeply historical. The legacies of slavery, Jim Crow segregation, redlining, and industrial decline continue to shape the social and economic landscape for Black men. These structural disadvantages are further exacerbated by mass incarceration and limited access to long-term employment.
“There’s a history of Black exploitation,” said Richard Wallace, founder of EAT and co-author of the report. “From chattel slavery to unpaid prison labor, this country has built wealth off the backs of Black men without giving anything back.”
Wallace pointed out that many of the men surveyed in the report worked through temp agencies that offered “no stability, no benefits, and no pathway to growth.” In 2021, Illinois’ Black male labor force participation rate was only 53.1%, compared to a national average of 63.5%. Even more alarming: joblessness among Black men aged 20 to 24 in Chicago reached 55.2% in the same year.
This economic instability directly impacts their ability to fulfill a key expectation of fatherhood — being a provider.
“There is a reality to the trauma of being a Black man and the vision of what fatherhood looks like,” Wallace said.
When the Shelter System Fails Fathers
For fathers like Arthur Anderson, the struggles go beyond finding work. A father of four and current board member of Brightpoint, Anderson shared his personal battle with housing as a single parent. After becoming a dad at age 20 and leaving college to raise his child, Anderson discovered that no shelters in his area would accept men with children.
“I had to get a small apartment,” he recalled. “It wasn’t the best place, but it was the only place I could go. There was no real help for a single father trying to do the right thing.”
Today, Anderson co-chairs the Illinois DCFS Parent Advisory Board and continues to advocate for father-inclusive policies in child welfare systems. His story is part of Brightpoint’s new report titled “Stronger Together: How Peer Groups for Black Fathers Help Them Thrive.”
Thriving Fathers: Building Bonds That Heal
One of the most hopeful developments in recent years has been the rise of peer support groups for Black fathers. At Brightpoint, Anderson found strength in the group Thriving Fathers — a program that offers a judgment-free space for men to share their challenges, joys, and lessons in fatherhood.
“In the meetings, we can talk about anything without fear of being ridiculed,” Anderson said.
“We want to be respected as fathers. We teach each other how to be better fathers.”
Brightpoint’s report documents how participation in these groups improves mental health, communication skills, and overall engagement in parenting. It’s a form of social infrastructure that’s filling the gaps where institutions often fall short.
And it’s not just about emotional support. Fathers in these groups share resources, job leads, parenting techniques, and even transportation tips. The community they build often becomes a lifeline.
The Urgency for Policy Change
Despite the success of these peer initiatives, advocates argue that much more needs to be done at the policy level.
Programs like Thriving Fathers operate with limited funding and reach. Advocates are calling for:
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Father-inclusive housing policies, especially within shelter systems
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Job training and placement programs tailored for formerly incarcerated men
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Mental health resources specifically aimed at Black fathers
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Recognition of lived experience as a form of expertise in policymaking circles
Richard Wallace emphasized the importance of government action that prioritizes community voices:
“Black fathers don’t need saving — they need systems that stop pushing them out.”
Changing the Narrative Around Black Fatherhood
One of the underlying goals of both reports is to dismantle negative stereotypes about Black fathers — particularly the myth of absenteeism.
“These men are here. They’re showing up, doing the work, and creating their own support systems when no one else will,” said Wallace.
Anderson echoed this sentiment:
“We’re not what society paints us to be. We care, we show up, and we fight for our kids every day.”
Are you a father who has faced similar barriers? Do you know of peer programs or community groups supporting parents in Chicago? Share your experience with ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com — your story could inspire others.
