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The Father Daughter Dance is a community-sponsored, formal, elegant, and fun-filled evening for girls ages 5 years and over, and the special men in their lives. Directors of Positive Image Minneapolis, Terry Austin, and Tommy McNeal, strives to reclaim the narrative of black fatherhood. They believe the first male a girl should create a bond with is their father. Austin and McNeal, both fathers of two daughters, created this event to teach young girls what it means to be treated with love and respect.
The Father Daughter Dance, as with events nationally, halted two years due to Covid-19 pandemic. In the past, this event was honed as one the BIPOC community looked forward to annually. With nearly 1000 in attendance in 2019, it is the largest Father/Daughter event for people of color in the state of Minnesota. The organization had considered postponing the 2022 dance, but felt it was imperative to gather an aggrieved community together in a positive space of healing. “With everything our city has been going through, we need constant reminders that we are stronger together. Our team, along with the staff of the Earle Browne Center, implemented strong Covid protocols and moved forward with planning the dance.” says Terry Austin.
This year, one of the special guests is keynote speaker Andre Nero. A NAACP Image Award Winner, motivational speaker, author, and advocate. Nero, a Chicago native, currently residing in Dallas, Texas, is an advocate for cultivating community. Starting his career at the early age of fifteen, Andre understands the absence of community. Without a village backing, he had to overcome a fair share of adversity. These trials pushed him to pursue his dreams of becoming an author, advocate, professional actor, and motivational speaker. Nero’s ultimate life change was stopping an armed robbery and winning a NAACP Image Award as “Hometown Champion” from Radio One. Turned out, the robber was #1 on Crime stoppers list. Since, he has co-authored a book with Les Brown and Johnny Wimbrey on thought processes. He believes that if you can change the way you think, you can change the way you live, and no matter where you are in life, your life is not beyond repair. “Recently, our entire country has been through some turbulent times. Sadly, Minneapolis/St. Paul was in the eye of the storm.” Nero states
The Father Daughter Dance is an annual event focused on creating and nurturing memories that will last a lifetime. Since its 2013 inception, the event has highlighted outstanding fathers in the Minneapolis/St. Paul region. Emmanuel Donaby, a St. Paul educator, has been bringing his three daughters every father daughter dance since inception. Emmanuel was also a 2019 recipient of the Positive Image Outstanding Fatherhood Award. Being an educator, he understands why these types of events are necessary. “It gives my daughters and I a chance to get dressed up and spend fun, quality evening together. It also allows my daughters an opportunity to see other black fathers in a positive light. In Minnesota, there’s a lack of media focus when it comes to positive aspects of black fatherhood.” says Donaby.
The Positive Image Father Daughter Dance is a community funded and supported event. Supported by community members from all ethnicities and social classes. Hall of Fame Minnesota H.S. Coach, Larry McKenzie and his son, Lawrence, collectively escorts his granddaughters. This year, Positive Image Minneapolis will be giving away five tickets to high school students that has maintained the honor roll. These young ladies will be able to attend the Father Daughter Dance Event with their father or father figure. Due to Covid-19, this year’s event will function at 70% capacity.
LIMITED TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE: https://bit.ly/Fatherdaughterdance2022
About Positive Image Minneapolis:
Media Contacts for Positive Image Minneapolis:
Terry Austin
(612) 239-4823
Tephanie Delaney
(763) 807-9578
About Positive Image Minneapolis
Positive Image is a Minneapolis based Non-Profit. Our Mission is to strengthen Families and Rebuild BIPOC communities through Service. Their target markets are African American Communities, underserved youth, ages 12–24-year-old. Focus Areas: Fathers, African American boys, and underserved teens of Color.
