March 19, 2026
In a powerful gathering centered on healing, accountability, and growth, nearly 60 community members came together at the Urban league of Greater Madison’s, Black Business Hub for a conversation about fatherhood. A conversation rooted in lived experience, systemic challenges, and a shared desire for change. Hosted in partnership with the Urban League Fatherhood Responsibility Program, the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, the Dane County Child Support Agency, and national speaker and author Sharmain Harris, the event created space for honest dialogue about what it means to be a father navigating complex systems.
From the moment the event began, I noticed a theme that emerged: Connection. Handshakes, nods of recognition, and conversations that filled the room as fathers, advocates, and agency staff acknowledged one another not just as participants, but as partners in mission for understanding and collaboration.
At the heart of the event was Sharmain Harris, a Black father whose journey through incarceration to becoming a national voice on fatherhood and resilience has inspired many. His story grounded the conversation, offered hope, and centered around this advice, “Do not give up at any cost.”
Throughout the evening, one message surfaced repeatedly; fathers are searching for leadership, guidance, understanding, and a platform for their voices. Many spoke candidly about their experiences with the child support system, expressing frustration and mistrust. For some, it felt as though the system prioritized payments over people, reducing their role as fathers to financial obligations rather than recognizing that their greatest value is their full presence in their children’s lives.
Participants also highlighted the complexity of navigating the legal system. Terms like “convoluted” and “strategically confusing” were used to describe court processes that often feel inaccessible without legal expertise. Questions poured in during a panel discussion featuring representatives from the Urban League of Greater Madison, Child Support, and Children First. Fathers asked about their rights, their options, and how to move forward when the system feels stacked against them.
One recurring concern was the long-term impact of child support liens. Fathers shared that these financial barriers make it more difficult to access business loans, secure reliable transportation, and maintain stable housing. Obstacles that ultimately impact their ability to pursue and maintain consistent employment or pursue consistent placement with their children. Creating a cycle that can be nearly impossible to break.
What stood out most was not the frustration, but the hunger. A deep, collective thirst for more information, more transparency, and more opportunities to engage. Fathers want continued dialogue, more accessible resources, and more stakeholders at the table.
This event created space. Space for fathers to be seen and heard. Space for systems to listen. And space for a community to begin bridging gaps that have existed for far too long.
As the evening closed, one thing was certain, this conversation is far from over.
