Dare To Be Extraordinary: A Collection of Positive Life Lessons from African American Fathers

She’s a daughter, wife and mother but wants to take time to highlight the dads in her life for making such an impact—and to thank other ‘present’ dads and provide positive examples for the men who are seeking ways to make a difference in children’s lives.

Professional communicator and executive marketer, Leslie Gordon, wife of veteran broadcaster, Ed Gordon, says, “Present fathers are not trying to win favor or get to the finish line first.” Rather, they are sitting at the kitchen table most evenings tutoring their teenagers in geometry or English. They are snuggling with their little ones, reading a favorite bedtime story for the tenth night in a row. These fathers are sitting next to their children in church on Sundays and respecting their children’s mother every day of the week. They are standing on the sideline of the soccer field coaching their daughter’s team to victory. They are teaching their children to make good decisions about the friends they choose and the money they earn.

In her new book, Dare To Be Extraordinary: A Collection of Positive Life Lessons from African American Fathers, she bravely dares parents to be extraordinary by being engaged in their children’s lives, instilling in them the values of respect, honesty and integrity, demonstrating an exemplary work ethic, embracing the importance of faith in all that they do and, finally, by committing to an uncompromising level of excellence in their daily lives.

Extraordinary Fathers of the World, We Thank You

As I think about the fathers who have made a difference in my life, from those in my own family, to the young boys that chased me around our grade school playground many years ago who are now dads themselves, I have to take a moment to recognize their tremendous contributions, not just to my life, but also to this world. I have had the good fortune to know some incredible dads—the unsung heroes rarely talked about because the ones who aren’t raising their children are the ones who, unfortunately, take center stage in society’s collective psyche. The fathers I know are in the trenches on a daily basis, loving and raising their sons and daughters. These dads don’t look for accolades. They are not trying to win favor or get to the finish line first. Rather, they are sitting at the kitchen table most evenings tutoring their teenagers in geometry or English. They are snuggling with their little ones, reading a favorite bedtime story for the tenth night in a row. These fathers are sitting next to their children in church on Sundays and respecting their children’s mother every day of the week. They are standing on the sideline of the soccer field coaching their daughter’s team to victory. They are teaching their children to make good decisions about the friends they choose and the money they earn.

These are the men who make a difference. They don’t walk away when times get tough. They deal with the hard stuff that comes with being a parent and do what it takes to consistently set good examples of manhood for their sons, daughters, and other children in their communities. There are countless dads out there nurturing, coaching, disciplining, and guiding their children toward being responsible adults who will, in turn, pass these life lessons on to their own children. So today and every day, we need to say thank you to these men who are not looking for applause but unequivocally deserve it. The more we take the time to thank these extraordinary dads, the more we fuel the engine that defines positive fatherhood that will have far-reaching implications for society, our families, and especially our children.

Leslie Gordon

A native of Chicago and Kona, Hawaii, Gordon is an accomplished writer and public relations executive with more than twenty years of experience. Ms. Gordon runs a public relations and marketing consulting business and writes feature stories for her popular website, LeslieWrites.com. She has written speeches for corporate executives and powerful female entrepreneurs.

Gordon has interviewed and written about many fascinating people from actress, producer and director, Angela Bassett to actor and philanthropist, Isaiah Washington; from former NBA champion Alonzo Mourning to Chicago Cubs owner, Tom Ricketts. She earned a Master’s Degree in humanities from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s Degree in advertising from the University of Illinois.

Gordon’s new book, Dare To Be Extraordinary: A Collection of Positive Life Lessons from African American Fathers, is available for purchase at ExtraordinaryFathers.com. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the chosen charities of the book’s featured leaders.