By: SUMAYA ABDEL-MOTAGALY
Dozens of community members gathered at the Laurel Multiservice Center to celebrate Father’s Day June 14 with a breakfast hosted by Laurel Councilmember Jeffery Mills (Ward 2)..
Mills organized the 100 Fathers Day Breakfast to bring the community together, in particular men. The breakfast event featured speakers and a performance.
“We need to have discussions about our role as men and fathers, sons, uncles in society,” Mills said. “Fathers play an important role in society.”
While Mills noted that his relationship with his own father was complicated, he encouraged attendees to foster good relationships between father and son.
U. S. Rep. Glenn Ivey (4th District) gave the city of Laurel congressional recognition for organizing the event. As a father of six and a grandfather of three, Ivey highlighted the importance of fatherhood. He also touched on the challenges and hardships the men in his family faced during segregation and slavery.
“Here we are in a different situation, a blessed situation,” Ivey said. “The ultimate blessing is the family — that’s the beauty for me.”
Rev. Albert Whittington opened the event with a prayer and then preached about the value and role of men in his family.
“Fathers need to be models of integrity and faith,”Whittington said. “Let’s be leaders and teachers.”
Guest artists Roneilla Sings and Izzy performed, bringing the audience together in cheers and chants. Mills hosted a raffle and awarded gift bags to the winners, and Renaissance Essentials, a small business based in Laurel, sold body care products.
Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor reflected on the meaning of Father’s Day and spoke about the importance of community.
“You don’t have to be a father to give back to your community,” Sydnor, who grew up without a father and is not a father himself, said. “It’s time for us men to step up.”