Cobb County Sheriff’s Office and members of the Divine 9 (African American fraternities and sororities) fraternities at the ‘Live Nobly’ Fatherhood Father’s Day Program.

Cobb County Sheriff's Office Hosts 'Live Nobly' Fatherhood Program for Detainees on Father's Day

The Cobb County Sheriff's Office hosted 'Live Nobly', a Fatherhood Program for detainees on Father’s Day. The event was structured to inspire and support detainees who are fathers in their parenting journey, emphasizing the importance of their roles even while detained.

The Live Nobly program is a Father’s Day salute bringing together fathers in Cobb County Detention Center with all five of the national African American Greek-letter fraternity chapters serving Cobb County: Alpha Phi Alpha, Iota Phi Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, and Phi Beta Sigma. These men of the five African American fraternities bring encouragement and uplift by sharing personal thoughts on Father’s Day, the importance of being a father, and their fraternal guiding principles towards manhood and community uplift.  It is a unique intersection of college trained men and fathers at a low critical point in their lives.

Dr. J. Sebastian Anderson, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, emceed the program, which began with a heartfelt invocation delivered by Dr. Arthur Vaughn. Following this, the attendees participated in a collective affirmation from the Parenting 101 Program, reinforcing their commitment to becoming better fathers.

Edward Davis, founder of ‘Live Nobly’, then articulated the program's goals, emphasizing support, education, and the importance of fatherhood. Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff David Jones introduced the event, followed by a warm welcome from Sheriff Craig D. Owens, Sr.

Col. Michael A. Williams, detention commander, shared his insights and experiences, reinforcing the importance of the initiative.

Edward Harbison, who oversees the State Fatherhood Program, and retired Dekalb County Superior Court Judge Mark Anthony Scott provided powerful inspiration, emphasizing the importance of resilience and the profound impact of fatherhood. They spoke about not allowing past experiences to define one's present and future, highlighting the transformative power of embracing the role of a father. 

Chief of Staff Jones introduced the keynote speaker, Ponchellis Jackson, a returning citizen activist who is working to assist other formerly incarcerated men and women to become successful, law abiding, career oriented, and tax paying citizens, delivered an inspiring speech that resonated deeply with the audience. Notable guest speakers included Dr. Vaughn (Alpha Phi Alpha), Darris Edge (Kappa Alpha Psi), Leon Rogers (Phi Beta Sigma), and Dr. Taijuan Clayton-Brooks (Iota Phi Theta Fraternity).

Sheriff Owens offered closing remarks, encapsulating the event's success and expressing gratitude to all participants. The Parenting 101 Program participants expressed their responses with personal letters they’d written for their children, followed by Dr. Anderson’s words of appreciation to all contributors and attendees. The event concluded with a benediction by Dr. Vaughn, followed by a reception, allowing attendees to connect and reflect on the day’s messages.

The 'Live Nobly' Fatherhood Father’s Day Program was a profound and uplifting event, bringing together detainee fathers, law enforcement, and community leaders to celebrate and support the journey of fatherhood. 

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Photo Credit: The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office

For more information on the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office:
https://www.cobbsheriff.org

For more pictures of the ‘Live Nobly’ Fatherhood event, use the link below:

Photos

:: Courtesy of the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office ::

Sheriff Owens and Edward Davis (Founder of ‘Live Nobly’) are all smiles after a successful ‘Live Nobly’ Fatherhood Father’s Day Program.

Distinguished guests and keynote speaker are camera ready at the ‘Live Nobly’ Fatherhood Father’s Day Program.
Left to right:  Mark Anthony Scott (Retired Dekalb Superior Court Judge), Edward Harbison (State Fatherhood Program) and Ponchellis Jackson (Keynote Speaker). 

Mark Anthony Scott (Retired Dekalb Superior Court Judge) encourages one of the detainees at the 'Live Nobly’ Fatherhood Father’s Day Program.

Chief of Staff Jones (Omega Psi Phi State Representative) introduces special guests to the 'Live Nobly’ Fatherhood Father’s Day Program.

Sheriff Owens and his fraternity brothers (Omega Psi Phi) at the ‘Live Nobly’ Fatherhood Father’s Day Program.

Sheriff Owens welcomes attendees to the ‘Live Nobly’ Fatherhood Father’s Day Program.

Jimmy McKinney (Kappa Alpha Psi) shakes hands with a detainee father at the 'Live Nobly' Fatherhood Father's Day Program.

Dr. Vaughn (Alpha Phi Alpha) leads the benediction at the ‘Live Nobly’ Fatherhood Father’s Day Program.

Dr. Clayton-Brooks (Iota Phi Theta Fraternity) and Sheriff Owens at the ‘Live Nobly’ Fatherhood Father’s Day Program.

Leon Rogers (Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity) and Sheriff Owens at the ‘Live Nobly’ Fatherhood Father’s Day Program.

Sheriff Owens takes a picture with Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members at the Live Nobly’ Fatherhood Father’s Day Program.
Left to right:  Patrick Stephens (Alpha Phi Alpha), Edward Harbison (State Fatherhood Program), Sheriff Owens and Dr. Arthur Vaughn (Past President of Cobb County chapter). 

Sheriff Owens takes a picture with Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity members at the Live Nobly’ Fatherhood Father’s Day Program.
Left to right:  Darris Edge (President of the Cobb County Pan Hellenic Council), Dr. Anderson (Instructor- Parenting 101 and Anger Management), Sheriff Owens, Mark Anthony Scott (Retired Dekalb Superior Court Judge), Victor Harper (Kappa Alpha Psi) and Jimmy McKinney (Kappa Alpha Psi). 

Dr. Anderson embraces one of the detainees after he reads his heartfelt letter to his children at the ‘Live Nobly’ Fatherhood Father’s Day Program.

Speakers and presenters of the ‘Live Nobly’ Fatherhood Father’s Day Program.
Left to right:  Col. Michael A. Williams (Detention Commander), Dr. Vaugn (Past President of Cobb County chapter), Leon Rogers (Phi Beta Sigma), Dr. Anderson (Instructor- Parenting 101 and Anger Management), Sheriff Owens, Ponchellis Jackson (Omega Psi Phi), Darris Edge (President of the Cobb County Pan Hellenic Council), Edward Harbison (State Fatherhood Program), and Chief of Staff Jones (Omega Psi Phi State Representative).