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Alicia

Alicia Crowe

Last Updated: 8/3/2009

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Gender: Female
Status: Single
Age: 45
Sign: Sagittarius

City: NYACK
State: New York
Country: US
Signup Date: 7/27/2007

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Spotlight on Real Dads Stand Up!

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REAL DADS STAND UP GOES VIRTUAL!

Greetings:

Welcome to our first electronic newsletter. This has been a big year for fatherhood. Speaking of which, I'd like to give a big shout out to three Dads, Louis Reyes Rivera, my editor on Real Dads Stand Up! He has a new work, "Bandana Republic", an anthology which reflects the creative intellectual voices of the streets. Louis is also the host of WBAI 99.5 FM,"Perspectives" and conductor of the Louis Reyes Rivera Writer's Workshop at Sista's Place in Brooklyn that helped birth Real Dads Stand Up! Also, shout out to Bill Stephney who wrote the foreword in Real Dads Stand Up!. Bill is a contributor along with Thabiti Boone and others to the new book, "Be A Father to Your Child", edited by April Silver. On August 7th, we will be joining together for a booksigning and discussion at Barnes & Noble for more info, Visit: www.Bluepeacockpress.com

As June comes to an end, we reflect on the journey thus far, in order to plan our next course. The "fatherhood movement" as it is known, is more of a family movement. It's not about "he" versus "she". It's about the family. Real Dads Stand Up! is about fathers stepping up to the plate and doing the right thing for the best interest of their children. Why the focus on fathers? We know that when fathers are involved in their children's lives, children do better. As an attorney who has represented both mothers and fathers, I have witnessed how children are destroyed emotionally by the systematic fragmentation of the family. It all begins with the father and what happens when you take him out of the picture. I have watched in horror how quickly a father can be stripped of his fatherhood without regard for the so called, "best interest of the child". Innocent children are caught in the middle of some of the most vicious legal battles. These parents do not realize the damage this does to their children. There are many single mothers who must play both roles, and, wish the father would stand up. There are good fathers who want to be involved in their children's lives, but are prevented from doing so. My role in this is to use my legal knowledge and experience to help, inform inspire educate and unite. A long time ago, I made the conscious decision to be part of the solution and not perpetuate the problem. Through my works, I hope I can accomplish this.

What's Next?

I am working on my next book which chronices my journey into this fatherhood/family movement. It's a motivational memior in which I share my experiences and incite from representing parents in child support and custody cases. Parents tell in their own words about their legal experiences. In this work, I challenge America to find alternatives to the adversarial system. This past year, I have had the benefit and the priviledge of touring the country with my book, Real Dads Stand Up! speaking to fathers and those who love and work with them. I discovered that the issue of fatherlessness transcends racial and socio-economic boundaries. However, in the African American community, the state of father absence has been deemed a social disaster. They tell us that 7 out of 10 Black babies are born to parents who are not married to each other. Therefore, the likelihood that fathers will face a family court proceeding is very high. The quest for fathers is how to stay connected despite the failed relationship with the other parent, particularly when the other parent is hostile. I spoke at length with Shirely Henderson in the June Edition of Ebony Magizine, in the article " Sidestepping Baby Mama Drama". Several fathers were also interviewed.

Coming in September:Real Dads Stand Up on Blog Talk Radio.

Thanks to you and all of your support through emails and telephone and letters. We are excited to announce that Real Dads Stand Up! is coming to Blog Talk Radio. Now you can listen and call in and TALK! We will be interviewing guests on many topics relating to fatherhood and the law and it's impact on the family. For more information, visit: www.Realdadsstandup.com

This fatherhood/family movement is really a grass roots movement created out of necessity. There are many individuals and organizations who have planted the seeds and tilled the soil to cultivate the landscape that is now getting recognition from governmental agencies and faith-based organizations and non-profits. The question often arises, how do we engage fathers? Well, talk to those who are actually doing it. Many of these groups and organizations sponsor Fatherhood conferences and events. These events are crucial for Dads and those who work with them. This is where fathers get to meet, talk and gain a sense of hope and validation and support, not to mention valuable resources. Practitioners gain information and training.

Look Where We've Been:

In February, Alicia delivered the Keynote address at Adelphi University Black History Month Celebration, her alma mater.

"Sister 2 Sister" Magazine did an exclusive interview, " Office With a View" where Alicia spoke about how her art overlaps into her advocacy.

"Black Men" Magazine also featured Real Dads Stand Up! in its Publisher's Page.

In March 2008 the City of Buffalo, New York hosted a Citywide Fatherhood Roundtable where over 150 people attended to explore the field of responsible fatherhood. This event was sponsored by the University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) with the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Fatherhood Initiative. In this major one day conference, the courts, faith-based organizaions, human serivce workers and educators joined to discuss the crucial role fathers play and the challenges they face. Attorney, Author Alicia M. Crowe delivered a Keynote address," What Every Single Father Should Know About the Legal System." http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/317319.html

In April, Alicia presented her popular workshop, "Staying Connected" for Non-Custodial Parents at the New York Fatherhood Conference in Westchester, NY In this workshop, she teamed up with prominent Westchester County Judge, Honorable Bruce M. Tolbert and had an open and honest converstion from the bench and bar. Participants spoke candidly with a judge and lawyer about their fatherhood challenges.

In June, we headed to Philadelphia for the Fatherhood Festival 2008, "I Am Somebody to A Child", where Alicia teamed with Attorney Troy Wilson to talk about Access, Custody and Family Court. The Philadelphia Fatherhood Festival is sponsored by DaddyUniversCity. In this one day festival, fathers learned everything from how to participate in their child's life, to making money on the internet. Philadelphia Eagles "Free" Lance Safety and Father of Four, Brian Dawkins delivered the Keynote.

On June 10, 2008 WBAI-FM 99.5 "Talk Back With Hugh Hamilton" Paciffica radio featured a TWO-HOUR Interview with Alicia on the issue of "Fathers and the Law", where Alicia takes on-air callers and answered tough legal questions. To hear this interview visit: www.realdadsstandup.com

On June 13th The National Partnership for Community Leadership held its 10th Annual International Fatherhood Conference at Gallaudet University Kellogg Conference Hotel in Washington, D.C. This four day event focused on" Reconnecting Fathers to Families At Home and Abroad" Alicia conducted her popular workshop, "Real Dads Stand Up!" to a standing room only crowd. The audience consisted of Lawyers, Judges and case workers, fathers educators and others who engage fathers. This workshop was filled to capacity. For those of you who could not get in, we will be doing the workshop on DVD. For more information, visit: www.npclstrongfamilies.com

On June 21st, Real Dads Stood up at the 500 Men Summit in Brooklyn. This third annual event addressed critical issues and provided men with residual access to information and support necessay to improve their soical-economic development. Many of the men are gaining re-entry into the mainstream. Alicia held an interactive workshop on "Child Support What Every Single Father Should Know" .

You all know, we like to keep it movin', So...

Our next stop will be the NAACP Convention Author's Pavillion in Cincinnatti Ohio on July 13th and July 15, 2008

August 7, 2008 at 7p.m. Barnes & Noble Books, Nanuet, NY Alicia will host, "Be A Father to Your Child"

featuring Editor April R. Silver with contributors Bill Stephney, Thabiti Boone and Loren Harris

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Left to right, Alicia M. Crowe, Esq., The Honorable Paul Boateng, Brittish High Commissioner in South Africa, Johannesburg, SA, The Honorable Anne C. Cools, Senator, The Canadian Parliament, Ottawa, CA at the 10th Annual International Fatherhood Conference, Washington, D.C. June 10-13-2008

This extraordinary three-day event took place at the Gallaudet University Kellogg Center. The theme was "Reconnecting Fathers to Families At Home and Abroad" This conference was hosted and made possible by NPCL President, Dr. Jeffery M. Johnson and organized with his lovely daughter Jasmin Johnson.

REAL DADS STAND UP TEE-SHIRTS NOW ON SALE!

Price: $ 14.95
Sizes XL

and 2X is $ 16.96
Plus $4.00 Shipping/Handling

TO ORDER NOW CLICK HERE Order my T-Shirt

This T-Shirt was a hit at the conference.

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ONLY $19.95 plus shipping/handling

REAL DADS STAND UP! ISBN 0-9780976477204

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW!! This book is for anyone who is going through a Child Support, Custody and/or Visitation
Case. Learn how to get through court and stay connected to your children.

"Alicia demystifies child support and custody and takes the fear out of family court."-- Mallik Yoba, actor, activist

Alicia Delivers Keynote at The Buffalo Fatherhood Roundtable. Speakers included, Kenneth Brasswell, Director, NYS Fatherhhod Initiative, Dr. Rev. Ronald Stewart, Hon. Lenora Foote-Beavers, Alicia M. Crowe, Esq.