The Proud Poppas Photo Project
The Proud Poppas Photo Project
Photography and Imagery by Tyrone Z. McCants
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Proud Poppas is a portrait series centered on fatherhood—capturing tenderness, strength, and connection between fathers and their children. The work challenges stereotypes and centers care, pride, and generational presence.
These images function as both personal keepsakes and cultural statements.
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Proud Poppas began as a photographic exploration of fatherhood and presence, but it quickly grew into something larger than images alone. What started behind the lens evolved into a living, community-centered movement dedicated to honoring fathers, strengthening families, and reshaping narratives around Black fatherhood and male caregiving.
Through portraiture and documentary storytelling, the project highlights moments of connection, responsibility, tenderness, and leadership—capturing fathers not as symbols, but as active participants in their families and communities. Each photograph serves as both record and affirmation, preserving lived experiences often overlooked or misrepresented.
Beyond photography, Proud Poppas expanded into workshops, lectures, mentoring programs, and family-centered outings, creating spaces for dialogue, learning, and intergenerational support. The project’s cultural impact was formally recognized in 2011, when the Brooklyn Borough President proclaimed June 19th as Proud Poppas Day, affirming its significance as both an artistic and civic contribution.
At its core, Proud Poppas is about visibility, accountability, and legacy. It stands as a testament to the power of visual storytelling to inspire connection, shift perception, and reinforce the vital role of fathers within families and communities.
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Reflective Legacy Interviews and Portraits are designed to document lived experience, cultural memory, and personal history through photography, conversation, and recorded storytelling.
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June 19 is more than Father's Day in Brooklyn.
~ For me, it is also a reminder of a mission.
In 2011, the Borough of Brooklyn issued a proclamation recognizing Proud Poppas United and our work supporting fathers, families, and communities. The proclamation recognized our efforts to create spaces where fathers could share resources, build relationships, support one another, and strengthen their roles within their families.
Proud Poppas Day: Why Fatherhood Still Matters
By Tyrone Z. McCants
Since 2011, I've had the opportunity to connect with fathers from Arizona, St. Louis, New Jersey, Florida, Georgia, Texas, California, and even fathers living overseas.
Different cities.
Different cultures.
Different backgrounds.
Yet the conversations were often the same.
How do I become a better father?
How do I stay connected to my children?
How do I build a stronger future for my family?
Those questions reminded me that fatherhood is bigger than geography.
The desire to love, guide, protect, and build for our children is universal.
Today, I salute fathers everywhere who continue to show up and do the work.
What does being an active father mean to you?
Fatherhood is the responsibility and duty to provide, teach, care, and nourish a child. Watching a child grow is a testament to the unconditional love and patience you develop as a father, and to seeing your child’s accomplishments as they grow into adulthood.
~ Ed with Jacob
Today, more than a decade later, that mission remains just as important.
America is experiencing two realities at the same time.
On one hand, many fathers are more involved than ever before. Modern fathers spend significantly more time with their children than previous generations. They attend school events, coach teams, help with homework, participate in daily caregiving, and seek deeper emotional connections with their children.
At the same time, fatherhood itself is becoming less common. Marriage rates have declined. Fertility rates have declined. Millions of men in their prime family-building years are not becoming fathers at all.
What does being an active father mean to you?
It means giving up all the games and being a good example for your child. Someone who arms will be the safest place in the world, and words will never be broken."
~Michael & Michelle
Yet another reality receives far less attention.
Across the country, family courts are filled with fathers fighting to maintain relationships with their children. Many fathers are not fighting to avoid responsibility. They are fighting for access, involvement, communication, and the opportunity to remain active parents.
What does being an active father mean to you?
It means you have the benefit of watching your kids grow up to see them do better than you. To see them fight for their dreams and help them get there.
~ Gaby, Justin and Matthew
These stories rarely make headlines.
Many children today are growing up in environments where conflict between parents becomes more important than cooperation. When children are used as weapons in adult disputes, everyone loses.
Children lose.
Fathers lose.
Families lose.
Communities lose.
What does being an active father mean to you?
It means being there, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
~ Ronald and Tachelle
The conversation about fatherhood cannot be limited to financial support alone.
Fatherhood is leadership.
Fatherhood is guidance.
Fatherhood is protection.
Fatherhood is presence.
The greatest fathers I know are not perfect men. They are men who show up. Men who remain committed. Men who continue to fight for relationships with their children despite obstacles, setbacks, distance, and adversity.
What does being an active father mean to you?
Fatherhood means patience and appreciating the simple things in life. Fatherhood means an undying love and doing whatever I must to provide the best for my children.
~Kris with Rianna and Cloe
That is why Proud Poppas Day still matters.
It reminds us that fathers are not optional figures in a child's life.
They are builders.
They are teachers.
They are examples.
They are part of the foundation.
What does being an active father mean to you?
Fatherhood is a chance to prove to yourself that you are very needed, worthwhile and important. Even to just one little person that really needs your protection and love.
~ Joel with Jaia
Over the years, I've spoken with fathers across America and abroad. I've heard stories of sacrifice, resilience, growth, heartbreak, and triumph.
What stood out most wasn't the differences between us.
It was the similarities.
Most fathers want the same things:
Healthy children.
Strong families.
Meaningful relationships.
A chance to leave a positive legacy.
That's why fatherhood still matters.
Not just to families.
Not just to communities.
But to the future itself.
As we celebrate fathers today, we should also ask a difficult question:
How do we create a culture that encourages healthy families, values responsible fatherhood, and ensures that children have access to the love, guidance, and leadership of both parents whenever possible?
The future of our communities may depend on the answer.
If one of these portraits or documentary moments speaks to you, it can be reproduced as a fine art print or canvas wall piece for your home, office, or collection. Or, let’s collaborate to create a personalized session that captures your own story with the same depth and authenticity
Happy Proud Poppas Day to every father, grandfather, mentor, and father figure helping build the next generation.
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